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Volume 14, 05/12, May/June Issue
Eleuthera, Harbour Island & Spanish Wells, The Bahamas
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Making A Difference
MP North Eleuthera shares time as he discusses ongoing projects, plans for the near future & the next election
- Page 2 ADVICE - 14 Civility in an....
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42 NOAA Predicts another active hurricane season
ADVICE - 13 2nd Home Sales Are Booming
Bahamian Environmental Stewards Receive Scholarships Through Opportunity of a Lifetime Page 44
OPINION -12 LETTER - 11 Get Illegal Migrants Vaccinated...
Inside
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Question Period:
MP Mackey On Projects, Plans, and the Election for urgency with the airport project, Mackey continued, “Obviously, the amount of air traffic that comes through North Eleuthera is through the roof, and I dare to say that it is the North Eleuthera airport which is the gateway right now for the entire island of Eleuthera. If you traverse that area, you would see people all the way from the deep south, with their rental cars, coming to pick up guests. And the volume of international tourists here [in Harbour Island] is through the roof. Speaking recently with the general manager for Romora Bay, and I have had conversations with Valentine’s Re-
Member of Parliament for North Eleuthera, Hon. Rickey Mackey, on Thursday, May 13th, 2021, in an interview with The Eleutheran, outlined some of the ongoing projects happening in his constituency, upcoming plans for the area, and shared thoughts on the upcoming election. As the newly refurbished public clinic in The Bluff nears full completion, Mr. Mackey said how excited and proud he was about the success of that project. He also noted some of the other ongoing and upcoming projects in the North Eleuthera area, saying, “The road works have started here in Harbour Island, which the residents have been advocating for, for quite some time - and deservedly so. They are going to be here for five months, and by the time they are through, we should have impeccable roads.”
Airport Challenges and Opportunities… “In addition to that, one of the things that we are concerned about moving rapidly is the new North Eleuthera airport,” shared MP Mackey. “That is something we have been trying to get accomplished for quite some time. Unfortunately for us, the land where the airport is currently is known as ‘commonage land’, and our discussions with them have not been too favourable. Because
Five months of road repairs are ongoing to refurbish roads in Harbour Island. of this situation with the commonage committee and us not being able to come to an amicable decision, the government will acquire the land, in the interest of the community.” Describing the rebounding local economy and need
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RBPF Eleuthera Launches New Youth Outreach Program - ERYC The Eleuthera Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) launched a new youth outreach program throughout the island during April 2021, called the Eleuthera Royal Youth Corps (ERYC). The program, with an initial focus on teaching drill movements and techniques, along with other exercise regimen, has in its promoted mandate a number of objectives; including, instilling discipline, promoting academic development, reducing at-risk behaviour, promoting physical health, developing leadership skills, along with instilling confidence and good character - all in a safe and supportive environment for youth. In South Eleuthera where it was initially rolled out, Police Constable Renardo Brown described his canvassing of the local communities - from Tarpum Bay to Deep Creek, conducting a series of school and church visits as well as reaching out to residents door-to-door, in collaboration with several Neighbourhood Watch (NNWC) members to gauge the interest of young people to join the program. P26
Sergeant Alexandria Albury, demonstrating drilling techniques to the female ERYC group on Saturday May 22nd, 2021 on the grounds of the Administrative building in Governor’s Harbour, Central Eleuthera.
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CTI-HITS graduates 42 students as OEF continues high-demand technical programs in Eleuthera On May 10th, the Centre for Training and Innovation’s Harbour Island Trade School (CTI-H.I.T.S.) program celebrated the graduation of 42 students in North Eleuthera. Each student successfully completed a nine-week course of study focused on one of four, high-demand technical programs in Basic Culinary, Carpentry, Electrical Installation, and Advanced Electrical. Ms. Banu Devi-Nair, Academic Dean for the Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI), commented, “CTI-H.I.T.S. is pleased to offer ongoing skills training programs to young people in our community. The skills acquired by our students will undoubtedly open new doors, improve job advancement outcomes and create entrepreneurship opportunities now and into the future. This of course would not be possible without the generous support and faithful partnership of our program donors, the Friends of H.I.T.S”. The graduation ceremony took place outdoors at the Blessed Back Row - L to R: Mr. Ryan Austin, Keynote Speaker; Ms. Katiusia Johnson, Basic Culinary Instructor; Ms. Banu Devi-Nair, Academic Dean, Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI); Mr. Lane Glaze, President of the One Eleuthera Foundation, U.S. Front Row: CTI-H.I.T.S. Graduates (PHOTO: One Eleuthera Foundation) Sacrament Catholic Church on Harbour Island. Mr. Lane Glaze, President of the One Eleuthera Foundation of the U.S. provided welcoming remarks and Mr. Ryan Austin delivered the keynote address.
As a successful entrepreneur and proprietor of The COCOA Coffee House in both P31
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BMOTA Becomes Member of Global Sustainable Tourism Council The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation (BMOTA) announced its affiliation as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) on Tuesday, May 25th, 2021, joining other tourism organizations around the world in the commitment to meeting global standards in sustainability in travel and tourism. During the COVID-19 global travel interruption in 2020, BMOTA invested time in a series of capacity building and destination stewardship programs with GSTC. Setting sustainable tourism development and management as a priority for recovery and resilience building, BMOTA arranged for staff and tourism industry stakeholders to participate in an online session of GSTC’s
Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP). Participants represented a cross-section of public and private sector organizations from various Bahamas destinations, including New Providence, Andros, Harbour Island, Abaco, Eleuthera, San Salvador, Exuma, Long Island, Bimini, Cat Island, and Grand Bahama Island. In the months following, GSTC has been working with several of The Bahamas Family Islands on workshops and programming to support the establishment of Destination Stewardship Councils which will implement the GSTC Destination Criteria. Council members have expressed excitement about the opportunity to shape more sustainable development of their local communi-
ties. Both GSTC and The Bahamas look forward to sharing the results of this work in the coming months. Bahamas Minister of Tourism & Aviation, Dionisio D’Aguilar, commented, “The compelling physical beauty and geographic diversity of the Islands of The Bahamas make them a top destination for travellers from all ends of the earth year-over-year. We see It as our duty to ensure that we are doing all that we can to maintain the health of our country’s environmental ecosystems and protection of its biodiversity for the future generations, P37
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CEHS Principal Galanis honoured in a near week-long sequence of celebration events Principal of the Central Eleuthera High School (CEHS), Mrs. Marie Galanis, was given a royal send-off on the cusp of her retirement, with four full days of celebrations and activities, beginning on Thursday, May 20th, and climaxing on Sunday, May 23rd, 2021, as the school headed into its final month before the 2020/2021 school year closes. Thursday morning opened with a brief, but memorable special assembly, where students were decked out in their Mrs. Galanis celebratory t-shirts and Mrs. Galanis joined by her husband, mother and other family members and friends, witnessed tributes in poetry and song from different grades and students. Gifts were also presented by different departments at the school, and as the school day began, Mrs. Galanis and her family entourage were serenaded by the newly formed CEHS Pop Band. Friday, the official Mrs. Galanis t-shirt day, saw a motorcade of decorated vehicles make their way to the school bright and early in the morning, saluting and honking as they filed past the gates, in honour of principal Galanis, followed by another brief special assembly, with the day’s cohort of students. The celebrations cranked up to high gear during the weekend, beginning with a luncheon banquet - a dressy affair, hosted at the Worker’s House ball-
Above: Mrs. Galanis (center), received numerous presentations and gifts from former students and colleagues. The plaque presentation above took place during Saturday’s luncheon banquet. Below: CEHS Colleagues present a special gift during Thursday morning’s assembly.
room, where Mrs. Galanis and her husband were formally welcomed at the noon start, and escorted to their table of honour. During the feast, in addition to gifts, a plethora of personal as well as video tributes were given in honour of Mrs. Galanis, highlighting the positive and lasting impact she has made in so many lives during her time in education. Colleagues from throughout her lifetime career in education also paid tribute. Sunday afternoon’s ‘evening of music’ was a less formal affair, with participants once again garbed in their Mrs. Galanis celebratory
t-shirts. Longtime colleague, friend, and former principal, Mrs. Karen Crean emceed the afternoon, while current and former students paid tribute in song, including: Shawnae Bethel, Terrinique Sands, as well as Carnetta Gaitor. There were also more video tributes presented from former students, taking sentimental walks down memory lane. Mr. Stephen Galanis, Mrs. Galanis’ husband was not to be outdone, and surprised his already overwhelmedwith-love wife, with a personal serP33
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Dear Editor - Concerns Lately, I’ve been grieved by the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and their advocacy on behalf of commercial banks in the Bahamas as it relates to credit card processing fees. It’s interesting how the chamber is silent as banks levy new charges seemingly at will on the business community of this country without any push back from the chamber. Last week I went into First Caribbean to deposit $4,000 cash. To my surprise I was told that I couldn’t deposit that amount without paying a deposit fee of $16. Where is the Chamber on matters such as this, that in essence are new forms of taxation? This among other forms of ridiculous fees on every dollar we deposit is devastating to the value of our hard-earned dollars. It’s interesting how banks forbid business from charging processing fees when they charge exorbitant fees if you were to use their cards in each other’s ATM machines. I am of the opinion that no bank has the authority to tell me what my service fee will be if a customer wants to use their card at my business establishment, especially if the customer is aware of the charge and has the option to use it or not. The fact of the matter is, some items on the shelves of some Business establishments have very low margins and can’t absorb the 4.5 - 5% charges which the bank gets away with charging both parties plus an average of 18% interest on credit card balances. Alas I guess that’s what happens when the culprits are members of the Chamber also, hence the Chamber’s silence with absolutely no voice ever speaking to the concerns of its other members. This isn’t fair. I would encourage the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and by extension, the Eleuthera Chamber, to address the concerns of the wider business community in this country and not just the banks, because the way the banks are operating unencumbered, will be the ruin of the average business, particularly in these difficult times when we all are struggling to keep our heads above water. Finally, it took me eight weeks to get an appointment to open a bank account at First Caribbean... eight weeks. What was so vexing is that when I finally got an appointment I had to produce a business plan even though I have a license to do business in this country issued by the Bahamas Government. The ease of doing business that the Government promised is a myth and must be addressed. Speak to these matters in support of the business community at large and stop advocating for the perpetrators of these predatory practices. Sincerely, On behalf of JR rentals and Office General. Roderick Pinder
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Long working hours increasing deaths from heart disease and stroke: WHO, ILO ronment International today. 17 May 2021 Joint News Release Long working hours led to 745 000 deaths from stroke and ischemic heart disease in 2016, a 29 per cent increase since 2000, according to the latest estimates by the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization published in Envi-
In a first global analysis of the loss of life and health associated with working long hours, WHO and ILO estimate that, in 2016, 398 000 people died from stroke and 347 000 from heart disease as a result of having worked at P34
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co m m e n ta ry
May/June, 2021
Get illegal migrants vaccinated
By Sir Ronald Sanders
(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own) Not vaccinating illegal migrants against the coronavirus would be a fatal mistake in every country. Unvaccinated persons pose a real threat to subduing COVID-19 and will delay the opening-up and recovery of economies.
There are two issues related to this matter. First, governments may be reluctant to inoculate illegal persons for fear that, by doing so, they will create attractive circumstances for more people to enter and remain illegally on their shores. Second, illegal immigrants may be reluctant to be inoculated because of concerns about exposing themselves to arrest and deportation by police. This matter is an issue for all Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states from Belize in the north to Suriname in the south, including the Caribbean islands. It is well known that the Bahamas is home to illegal Haitians, Trinidad and Tobago now accommodates Venezuelan refugees as does Guyana which also has a share of Haitians and Dominican Republicans. In truth, every CARICOM country has a population of illegal immigrants to some extent. The problem, therefore, is region-wide. The COVID-19 pandemic demands national plans to deal with inoculating illegal immigrants for the safety of the citizens and legitimate residents of each country, and as part of the process of economic recovery. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean has recently reported that the decline in Gross Domestic Product in Latin America and
the Caribbean in 2020 “represents the greatest decline in 120 years”. On May 27, the government of Canada partly opened the way for CARICOM countries to implement programmes to vaccinate illegals, as part of a wider programme to reach vulnerable people. In a new collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Canada has provided CAN$50 million (close to US$40 million) to support PAHO’s work to vaccine at-risk women, migrants, refugees, and transient persons. But, this money is for use in more than 30 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, although I have been informed that there is a carve-out of CAN$6 million for the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) which has done remarkably well in providing testing and other COVID-19 related services. All CARICOM countries, in thanking Canada for this generous donation to Latin America and the Caribbean, should ensure that they establish with PAHO their interest in implementing a programme to inoculate illegal migrants. Dr. Carissa Etienne, the DirectorGeneral of PAHO, has explained why it is in the interest of Caribbean countries to ensure that illegal migrants are vaccinated. She said: “By offering vaccines to transient populations, countries in the Caribbean and Latin America can deter additional burdens to their national health systems due to infections while mitigating further transmission of the virus. This alliance (between PAHO and Canada) is pivotal to offer much-needed technical cooperation for a comprehensive response against COVID-19, to save lives and leave no one behind.” To emphasise Dr. Etienne’s point: countries that fail to inoculate illegal migrants could incur huge medical costs, treating citizens and residents who get infected. Wider infection will also mean a longer period for economic rebuilding. Even if every Caribbean country inoculates all its citizens and legal residents, the entire society remains in real danger of infection while unvaccinated illegals move around in their country. Illegal migrants tend to live in heavily populated areas with poor sanitation facilities, where transmission of communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, is more likely. They also work on construction sites, in farming communities or in the homes of people as domestic help. Their nearness to their employers and fellow workers puts everyone at risk. The onus is on governments to tackle this problem directly in several ways. Here are four steps that might be considered. First, make it clear that
illegal migrants who seek inoculation will not be rounded-up by the police and deported. Such a programme of information could be disseminated in communities where illegal migrants are believed to live, and on social media platforms. Second, the health authorities should consider organising mobile facilities to go into the areas where illegals live and work, offering them inoculations in an environment in which they feel relatively safe. If mobile facilities are not available, setting up special clinics in the locations where migrants congregate might also be an option. Third, the government should provide an undertaking that the gathered information would not be provided to the police or immigration departments for the purpose of deportation. The information should be used only for the purpose of issuing a vaccination certificate and providing a date on which a second dose of the vaccine would occur. Fourth, recognizing that many, if not all, of the illegal migrants would have no official identity cards, a requirement could be that they provide two passport photographs, one of which could be attached to their certificate and the other kept in the records of health authorities to verify identities at the time of the second vaccine. Munya Radzi, the head of Regularise, a UK based campaign to obtain rights for undocumented migrants, points out: “In my experience people do want to get the vaccine, people do want to be part of the solution to control the spread of the virus but it’s the fear of what happens to me if I go to get this vaccine”. He adds: “Unless they get a strong assurance that their data won’t be shared, they will not go”. The adverse consequences of not vaccinating illegal migrants are great, both for curbing the spread of infections and for delaying the ability of countries to open their economies and get recovery going. Already, the UN says that “the decline in GDP and the expected increase in unemployment rates will raise the number of people living in poverty and extreme poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean by 45 and 28.5 million, respectively”. Not vaccinating illegals as part of the population is not an option in these circumstances. Every country in the world will have to face the problem, however reluctantly. The Caribbean could lead the way globally. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com
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Second Home Sales Are BOOMING Second-home and property sales are booming in Eleuthera and elsewhere, pumping much needed revenue into the public treasury and generating lots of spin-off benefits for Bahamians. It’s a silver lining behind the dark pandemic cloud, providing an economic lifeline as a growing number of people seek safe havens in our beautiful islands. Proximity to the U.S. mainland, a warm climate and natural beauty are driving the demand. Second-home ownership has been important to various out-island communities for decades; the current situation highlights just how crucial it is. To start with, the government gets lots of revenue from taxes when people buy second homes. Then there are all the businesses and professional services that benefit - lawyers, land surveyors, builders, architects, interior decorators, accountants, real estate brokers and all their support staff. There are many others - electrical contractors, quantity surveyors, landscapers, caretakers, plant nurseries, photographers, newspapers, marketing firms, paint suppliers, hardware stores, glass
companies and furniture stores. The list goes on - appliance and lighting techs, plumbers, window specialists, IT consultants and artists. Don’t forget the golf cart and car rental businesses, grocery and liquor stores, restaurants, farmers, fishermen and bakers. It is difficult to quantify the spin-off benefits because so many people are positively impacted. Second homeowners often embrace and become an integral part of our island communities. We welcome them with open arms. ARE YOU READY? The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially starts June 1. Have you taken all the necessary precautions? We live in an active hurricane zone. Being prepared helps minimise the impact of disasters. You know you need AT LEAST a twoweek supply of potable water, non-perishable food, pet food and prescription meds. You know you should secure all government issued ID and important papers in a waterproof bag before a hurricane hits.
You must also make evacuation plans, especially if you live on the coast, in low lying areas prone to flooding or if your roof or structure are compromised. And you must help make plans for the old and infirmed who are unable to help themselves. If you can, consult with a professional about investing in a generator or solar system, if you don’t already have stand-by power. If possible, you want to be able to keep a fridge and freezer running, along with a couple of lights and a fan or two and power to any water pump you may rely on. Get your roof inspected. Check your hurricane shutters and windows. Read the fine print on your insurance policy so you know exactly what you are covered for. Lest we forget, in 2019 Hurricane Dorian devastated large areas of Abaco and Grand Bahama with storm surges 24 to 28 feet above sea level and wind speeds of over 200 MPH, exceeding 300 MPH in tornados, according to the Met Department. Hopefully, we won’t encounter any strong storms this season, but we must be ready if we do.
By Mike Lightbourn Questions or comments? Contact me at info@cbbahamas.com Mike Lightbourn is president of Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty.
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A DVICE
Civility In An Uncivilized World Teri M. Bethel When we think of uncivilized behavior, some may reflect on parts of our history where countries invaded other territories for personal or national gain. Quite often under the guise of giving them a better, more organized life. Taking the spoils as it were, which sometimes included the enslavement of people. In our modern era, slaves don’t always wear visible shackles. Yet still, they are considered economic possessions of their colonizer’s motherland. Spain was considered the forerunner to France with its extensive collection of overseas territories. France colonized countries in Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa, to name a few. Of course, we know that the British and back in their heyday, Rome were once mighty empires. Though not empires but independent countries, both Canada and the United States of America, have had their share of nudging the original inhabitants off their land for more significant gain.
More often than not, these countries war against others for territories, but some have internal wranglings for far less—as in the Hutus and the Tutsis, both African people in Rwanda, who turned against themselves. Their civil war claimed the lives of almost 1 million people in two rounds of conflict. The first in 1972 when 120,000 Hutus were slaughtered by the Tutsi. The second in 1984, when 800,000 people were reportedly killed in a 100-day clash by the Hutus. Uncivilized behavior is nothing new to us; it has ravaged the world’s nations from ancient times. If we really care to look back at the first case of incivility, it was between two brothers who were brought up in what we would consider an almost perfect environment, at least compared to where we are today. When Cain slew his brother Abel, he thought he was justified in doing so. His behavior was
May/June, 2021 uncivilized and unacceptable. What sparked the unjust slaying of the innocent brother? Jealousy. Sadly, like most people violating someone’s life, their self-centeredness and greed often leave them feeling justified in their actions. Cain was immediately banished from the place he lived. The irony of the situation is that the oppressors usually deem the oppressed as uncivilized, particularly if they are not from their class structure. In their minds, you are unworthy; but they are worthy of whatever it is they are after. Let me put it this way, the innocent are generally scoffed at and railroaded by the guilty. It happens time and again. Unfortunately, history has a way of rewriting itself when the pen is in the hand of the powerful. Is there a difference between uncivilized and Incivility? In defining incivility, the Cambridge dictionary gets straight to the point. They describe it simply as “rudeness.” Their definition of uncivilized is “not suitable for a well developed, peaceful society where people are treated fairly.” The Mirriam-Webster dictionary’s definition is “not civilized: BARBAROUS.” In other words, according to the dictionary, being uncivilized is tantamount to being a barbarian. History tells us of the time when the barbarians of old roamed the nations. Although the word originated in ancient Greece, referring to anyone who was not Greek or did not speak their language, today, the meaning has changed to describe the behavior of people who conducted themselves as savages. Living in an uncivilized world, however brutish, is not the same as living with incivility. When you face people who exhibit rude and discourteous behavior, those who never managed to learn social graces in communicating with others. Generally speaking, everything is about their comfort and wellbeing; no one or nothing matters, especially in this Covid-19 era. We’ve become a me-centric world. Where do we see this played out in simple terms? In the home, at the supermarket, in traffic, at school, in
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political arenas, and the list goes on. Incivility in the home Incivility in the home sometimes runs rampant among spouses or intimate partners who have not mastered the art of appreciating or serving someone other than themselves. It’s in the way one or both persons are treated. It can be as simple but equally crushing as casting a dirty look to, emasculating a man, or humiliating a woman—this, of course, is considered equivalent to depriving a man of manhood or a woman of her identity. Boorish Beulah did it often to her husband. What she practiced in the home became natural outside of the house. Her husband, a mild-mannered, hard-working man, didn’t seem to put up much of a fuss but constantly absorbed her tauntings. It wasn’t unusual to hear her direct him as though he were her 9-yearold impudent child, with a level of contempt that made you wonder if he were someone who thrived on punishment. Harry, like Beulah, was uncouthly overbearing; he did the same to his wife. His tone and physical abuse had embarrassed her for years. He justified his uncivilized behavior as the norm—he saw it in his home as a child. His father called his mother stupid in front of the children, the neighbors, and anyone else in earshot. Instead of countering his words, she accepted them and began referring to herself as stupid, allowing her children to call her the same. Incivility between neighbors Charles was told he was a barbarian after shooting his neighbor Freddie’s dog with a shotgun. I can almost hear the gasps. For 5 months, Charles asked his neighbor to secure his dog as he was a menace to his family and pets when he came over to his yard. Both properties were walled and had a gate, but that didn’t stop the dog from crossing the road, climbing the 5-foot wall, or squeezing through the gate. Freddie thought it was cute that their dog went across the street P15
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Teri M. Bethel is a publisher and author of relationship enrichment books, Bahamian inspired romance, and adventure novels for children that share our islands’ history and culture. She is also an artist and purse making instructor. Her books and DVD tutorials are available where good books are sold in Eleuthera and New Providence and on Amazon.com. Teri and her husband have two adult sons. Website: www.inspirepublishing.org
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daily to relieve himself in Charles’ yard—it was one less pile of sand he had to use to cover the mess in his yard. In any case, he wasn’t too fond of Charles or his family. He also thought Charles’ dogs were wimpy and deserved to be beaten every now and again by his dog. After hearing the shrieks one time too many, Charles had had enough. Freddie’s dog had torn into his dog for the last time. His children were terrified of the menacing dog and spent more time inside the house than out. Several warning shots were blasted in the air several days before to frighten off the dog, but he kept coming back even though Charles had warned Freddie. Freddie was
heartbroken and threatened to sue Charles—it never happened. When Freddie did get another dog for his kids, he ensured that the dog was walked regularly on a leash and did not venture into Charles’s yard. How did we get to this point as a society? When did we stop treating our family and our neighbors with respect? With so much loss and hurt in the world today, perhaps it’s time to learn how to be civil. A good step in that direction, perhaps, is treating others how you wish to be treated. It’s an oldfashioned concept, but maybe we should reintroduce “courtesy and kindness” to our lives once again; why not practice it today?
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f e at u r e
May/June, 2021
An Eleutheran Profile: Cecil Bernard Longley - (78) BY elizabEth bryan
Early days… Born in Mangrove Cay, Andros, on December 4th, 1942, young Cecil determined at a young age that education was his passion. He loved school. Looking back at where it all began for him at the age of 16, he shared, “I was one of the top students in the class at that time. It was a small school in Mangrove Cay Andros, called Victoria Point primary school, and the principal took me out of his class and gave me a class of my own. I was teaching from then as a monitor.” Mr. Longley’s 49 year-long career span in education would take him from monitor to trained teacher, principal, district superintendent, senior education officer, and finally the Deputy Director of Education. Path to Eleuthera… In 1962, then a young man of 19, Cecil headed away from Mangrove Cay to the capital, where he began tertiary studies at the Bahamas Teacher’s College at the Nassau campus in New Providence. He graduated two years later in 1964. “I was then posted at West End, Grand Bahama as a trained teacher,” Cecil reminisced, as he began the story of how he got to the isle of Freedom. “After one year in West End, I was transferred to Savannah Sound, Eleuthera as principal, in September 1965… That was a new responsibility when I went to Savannah Sound, because I went straight out of the classroom to heading the school. I was responsible for teaching as well as running the school. That was my very first post as a principal - and they called it head teacher in those days.” Forging Ties and Local Legacies…
Cecil and Gladys Longley - Photo Credit - Roger D Photography
Introduction: Early in 2021, the Savannah Sound Revitalization Group, a local community organization, began work on erecting a new sign for the ‘Longley Newberry Park’ in Savannah Sound to pay honor to and remember the contributions, especially those made by education leader, Mr. Cecil Bernard Longley, to creating this public space which has been used for decades by not only the local community, but by students and local athletes from all across Eleuthera. Mr. Longley, who spent nearly 50 years in education, at almost every level of leadership, ending with the Office of Deputy Director, the second highest position in education in the nation, also spent a number of years in Eleuthera, serving at first the Savannah Sound All Age where he also met his Eleuthera wife - Gladys Culmer, at the Governor’s Harbour High School during its infancy, as well as at the Preston Albury High School. During the final week in May 2021, Mr. Longley, now at 78 years old, met and talked with The Eleutheran, about some of his life and times, while in Eleuthera and beyond.
As a new head teacher, Cecil would almost immediately become intricately entwined with the local community, as he met his wife-to-be - a local girl, Gladys Culmer, who was a teacher at the Savannah Sound All Age, when he arrived. “So, that’s how we met. The rest was history. We were married a year later, in August of 1966,” he shared with a smile. Following the wedding, the Longleys, continued to reside in Savannah Sound and both of them taught at the All-Age School. During his years in Savannah Sound, Cecil was instrumental in the development of the community through his contribution to education. He pioneered the first library at the All-Age School. “Starting the library, we tried to get the children interested in reading, so we would have reading competitions, and we collected books. There
were several winter residents who helped us with that, and they had a lot of other folks contribute to us as well. We developed a room for the library in one part of the school, because it was a small school, with the number of students under 75,” he recalled. A lasting, and widely impactful contribution made by Mr. Longley was the vision for and establishment of the Savannah Sound Park, from the grading and clearing of the property to the creation of a softball field, basketball and volleyball courts, track and field sites, and a children’s playground. Undaunted by the enormity of the role, he spearheaded the completion of the Park by soliciting the support of winter residents, who donated generously to the purchase of sporting and playground equipment. Notably among those residents was Ms. Ruth Newberry. “When I went to Savannah Sound School, the first thing I did was to look around and see what needed to be done to get the children interested in education. I was also very interested in sports, and that’s what led me to developing the area in the community that they had reserved for a park,” described Cecil. He continued, “We had a tractor there for 40 hours working on that space, pushing it down, clearing it and leveling it. One of the most exciting things during my time in Savannah Sound was developing this play area. At that time, I decided the best way to do that was to work with a committee in the settlement. We had one gentleman in the settlement who was the chairman, and another who was the secretary - and then we began to raise funds. “A lady who was a winter resident (Ruth Newberry) heard about it and she came in and we had a talk, and she decided to give us some money and also help us to raise funds for the park,” shared Cecil. Ms. Newberry, who was a native of New York, United States, had a home in Double Bay, just outside of the community of Savannah Sound. She was said to have proffered financial support for the Park project from the very beginning, and her involvement was described as ‘constant and unwavering’. The official dedication and naming of the Park took place in 1967, and according to Cecil, he was one of the last to find out what it was to be called, saying, “The people of the community, when they named the park - I didn’t even know the name of the park until it was announced at the official opening. When they named the park, the government at that P17
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time sent, Lionel Davis, who used to be the MP for Fox Hill, as well as the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education - to open the park. I was shocked when I heard the name of the park - the Longley Newberry Park,” laughed Cecil as he reminisced. “But that is what the people named it.” Sharing more about the vision and utility of the park space, Cecil continued, “It didn’t take long at all to get the park done. Once we got the idea and got the committee together - then you know Eleuthera had its own heavy equipment, so it wasn’t long to get equipment there, and the funds just came rolling in and we got the whole place leveled off, smoothed down and raked off. Then we built a cement basketball court in there, that we put down ourselves. “It was designed to be a park, so at one end we had swings for the children. They could go out there anytime and use the swings - after school or during lunchtime. At another end we also had a basketball court, where we taught the children how to play basketball - but softball was the main thing in those days, because you know Eleuthera was softball. “So, then we started playing softball. I started teaching the children how to play softball and at the same time I was learning softball. I ended up developing one of the best female softball players in the Bahamas, by the name of Beulah Kelly. We used to go up and down playing. You know Eleuthera was the home of softball. If you wanted to play softball, you went to Eleuthera. I remember St. Augustine’s coming up to play our school softball team. We beat St. Augustine’s, and then after our senior boys beat them, we put our junior boys to play them, and our junior boys beat them - and they were the best team in Nassau,” Cecil beamed as he recalled the pride of the school’s prowess. “The park was also big enough to draw up a 400-meter track, and we used to participate in track and field. We became very good at it, but not as good as I wanted us to be, because we never won the championship. But we became very good at softball. We also played volleyball, not seriously, but as a fun sport,” he added. The park would not only become instrumental in the development and sporting prowess of Savannah Sound, but also the surrounding communities of Central Eleuthera as a whole. It became a premier venue for local track and field and softball competitions. Annual festivals and homecomings would also draw hundreds of people from across the island to the Longley Newberry Park. While at Savannah Sound, Cecil also had the opportunity to spot teaching talent, and expanded his staff that way. “I had three staff members, all three were female teachers and one was my wife, but the other two teachers were appointed by me. I took them out of the classroom - in the same way that it happened to me, and put them to teach. I then sent them on to the College of the Bahamas to be trained as teachers. One of them actually stayed in teaching until she retired.” Cecil, also played a pivotal role as a spiritual leader during his time in Savannah Sound, through his service at the local Anglican Church, Saint Margaret’s. “I’m an Anglican, so you know they immediately high-jacked me. When I say ‘they’, I mean the priest. He said he needed me to assist him with the church. So, many times when he couldn’t come
to keep service - I became the assistant catechist at the Anglican church in Savannah Sound. However, it was not in an official manner, because I was never appointed by letter. But I kept the church open every Sunday morning and afternoon. The main responsibilities were keeping the church open, going through the service order, and making sure that church was kept,” he shared. Forward Momentum… In 1972, Cecil went off to the University of the West Indies to attain his Bachelor of Arts Degree. His wife and family continued to reside in Savannah Sound, while he commuted back and forth during his time of study. He graduated in 1975, and the Ministry sent him back to Eleuthera. “I was posted in Eleuthera at the Governor’s Harbour high school, where I was made principal… They thought that I could go from principal of a primary school, to principal of a high school. That was in the second year of the new Governor’s Harbour high school being open, and I was the second principal of the school. The school was located in Governor’s Harbour at that time, where the primary school is now, but during the next year it was relocated to a brand-new campus. I was the first principal at the school’s new location in Palmetto Point.” Mr. Longley continued to expand his credentials throughout his future career, attending classes at the University of Miami, where he earned his Master’s Degree. He also took a year to complete an Advanced Certificate in Education in London. In 1979, Cecil was transferred from the Governor’s Harbour high school to the high school in Exuma, where he served as principal for one year. His wife Gladys had been posted to teach in New Providence and his children were then studying at St. John’s College in the capital, he shared, so, he thought the distance in Exuma away from his family was too far. “I wanted to get back to Nassau, but the Ministry wouldn’t bring me in at the time. They sent me to North Andros (in 1980) - and from North Andros, after a year they had some problem in Rock Sound at Preston Albury High. So, that’s when they sent me to Rock Sound - back to Eleuthera (in 1981). I spent three years at Preston Albury until 1984. Again, asking to be transferred to New Providence - I was finally sent there a year after my request. “I was sent to the A.F. Adderley high school. The situation on the island at that time was that if you were the head of a Family Island high school, that did not give you the right to be principal of a New Providence high school. So, I was sent to A.F. Adderley as a vice principal,” explained Cecil. After spending two years at A.F. Adderley, his career would take a shift. Cecil was transferred into the administration at the Ministry of Education spending time as a District Superintendent and as a Senior Education Officer. “I was then later promoted as the Deputy Director of Education, where I served for about ten years, until my retirement… It was a very exciting career,” said Cecil. Meaning, Philosophy and Advice… When asked about what Eleuthera has meant to him, it was all about the family connection, and the people who were like family. “Eleuthera means a lot. Eleuthera to me is like my second home, because the family is there. We don’t go now as often as we should, but we do go up and visit. And especially in Savannah Sound, the people of Savannah
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Sound think that I am a part of them,” he said with a warm smile. “Also, twenty years, if you mentioned my name throughout Eleuthera, people knew me. Everybody in Eleuthera knew me. As you know, the high school (Governor’s Harbour) served students from all over Eleuthera at the time - students from North Eleuthera came as far as Governor’s Harbour high school by bus.” Cecil, sharing a bit of his view of education now, said, “Education to me was my life. That is one of the reasons I don’t agree with some of the things that happened with education today. I was a member of the union during my time, and served as an executive, but I was not a controversial one. “All the controversy that goes on between the Ministry of Education and the union today - I don’t agree with it, because I’m still from the old-school. I still believe that education is there to serve the children. A lot of people think education is there to serve the teachers, but education is there to serve the children - and the teachers are there to serve the children. So, we should always do what is best for the children. That has always been my view, and I don’t think that will ever change.” He continued, saying, “One of the things I always wanted to do was to make education more technical and vocational. You know after children leave school, the majority of them are going into the workforce, but we seem to be hooked on training children to only be able to go on to further schooling. But I think we should train children for life, and that has always been my view. “I always wanted to completely change the technical and vocational program in the high schools and make them more relevant to the needs of the students. So, when they leave school, they would be able to find something to do - whether it was in wood work, carpentry, masonry, hair dressing, clothes making, or whatever. I wanted education to always be more vocational. I thought if we were to get over that hurdle, that could also assist with behavioral problems in the schools - because every child would find something he or she wants to do. It is strange if a child leaving school doesn’t know what they want to do. A child would find what they want to do, if given the opportunity. If not, you see the misbehavior and lack of direction. So, that has always been my view in education - but, I never got that top position where I could implement it. There has been some change, and some development in that area, but not as far as I think vocational education should have gone.” Advice to Educators Today… With his nearly half-a-century experience in teaching and leading, Cecil was asked what advice he would give to those educators still in the system, and it was all about engagement and listening. “Right now, I would like to see more conversations with the public. I would like to see education officials and people who have the means to make a difference to consult more with ‘the people’ - the people who are your clients. Because, somebody out there has ideas - I should say a lot of people out there have ideas. Listen to those ideas and see how best they can be worked into the education system to make things better than it is now.”
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Nearing Completion: A New Clinic Facility in the The Bluff, North Eleuthera
The construction crew working on the new Bluff community clinic - proud of their work. The public clinic within the North Eleuthera community of The Bluff, got a new lease on life during the past several months, with the construction of a new facility in the same historic location in the settlement. The old clinic, perched on a hill, overlooking the township’s dock, which was closed in March of 2020, immediately after the pandemic hit the country, was said to have been in very poor condition, and badly in need of renovations. The old facility, as a result of the safety protocols put in place, was also described as not being suitable to operate because of how small the facility was. North Eleuthera member of parliament, Rickey Mackey, during an interview in Mid-May 2021, shared that several residents within the community reached out to him after the clinic’s closure about the incon-
venience of having to travel to Lower Bogue for medical assistance, and asked that something be done about it. “Their relentlessness is what spurred me to personally take this project on - self funding it, and later receiving some assistance from several winter residents,” he said. Mackey updated on the current state of construction, saying, “It is now close to completion, and it is a very lovely building, and I am shooting for the end of the month. The only major things that I need to now do are the tiles, install the a/c unit and the plumbing fixtures. The cabinets have already been ordered, and I spoke with the carpenter just this morning. He will begin installing them next week. So, we feel that we are on target to having it completed very close to the end of May. “We’ve put in two examination rooms , an emergency room, a kitch-
enette, a pharmacy - then you have the administration section. On the outside, we have a covered porch, which is 10ft by 22ft, which would allow for physical distancing. We have a window for registration, and for an old building - we were able to redesign it. I’ve been told by some of the doctors who have been there that it is perfect. We also plan to put in a generator, so when the power goes out, services can continue. So, that is what I am extremely proud and excited about.” Commenting on the overall cost and funding for the clinic project, Mr. Mackey explained, “For the clinic, when I first looked at it, I was naïve and thought it could be done for about $200,000 - being familiar with construction, and could reach out to certain persons and get them to do certain things. However, during this challenging time people want to be
compensated, and justly so. The building is just under 1500 sq. ft. Construction on the Family Island runs you into about $300 per sq. ft., so in doing the math, the cost is closer to $450,000.” “The bulk of the funding came from me,” he continued, saying, “What I do intend to do when it is completed, and I know what the final numbers are, I intend to submit to get some refunding from the constituency allowance. The constituency allowance works like this. You are allocated $25,000 per quarter, when you receive that, you have to document how the money was spent, and produce the receipts, and so forth. It is not a fund that you can store up for four years and spend in one lump sum - that’s not how it works. You are allocated your quarterly $25,000, as you spend that, and provide your documentation to the Ministry of Finance at the Office of the Prime Minister - if you haven’t received it, then they give it to you - you would be refunded. That’s how the process works - it’s $100,000 per year.” The new facility, said Mr. Mackey, will be named in honour of Nurse Euleta Sawyer, known, he said, as ‘legendary’, who served as a nurse as well as a midwife within The Bluff community for more than two decades, from the mid-1950’s until the mid-1970’s. “We are looking at a target ribbon cutting ceremony date of late June. The Prime Minister has already indicated that once I give him sufficient notice, which I have, he will be coming up, along with the Minister of Health,” he added.
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Min. Campbell announces June 2021 launch of
PROMIS portal
By Matt Maura The Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development and its Department of Social
Services, moved one step closer to streamlining and digitizing its work “for the greater convenience and efficiency of both its internal and external clients” with the announcement
Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell addressing Monday’s Press Conference announcing the impending launch of the Social Assistance Portal, ProMIS. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
The Eleutheran of the June 2021 launch of its Social Protection Management Information System (ProMIS) portal. The launch was scheduled for June 1, 2021, in New Providence and will be “fully launched throughout Grand Bahama and the Family Islands within two months thereafter.” Minister of Social Services and Urban Development the Hon. Frankie Campbell made the announcement during a Press Conference held in the Conference Room of the Ministry of Public Works, Aventura Plaza, University Drive and Bethel Avenue. Minister Campbell was accompanied by Minister of State for Finance and for Grand Bahama, Senator the Hon. James Kwasi Thompson. The Social Services Minister said the introduction and implementation of ProMIS will result in a standardized process for the delivery of social assistance that builds upon the existing operations of social assistance programmes at the national level. Methods of payments have
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also expanded out of the desire to reduce the expenses often borne by beneficiaries seeking access to social assistance (such as transportation, bank commission charges and time, etcetera), while ensuring reliability, regularity and efficiency. “Our Social Protection Management Information System (ProMIS) is an e-Government system that electronically facilitates all steps related to the management of social assistance, including the application, identification of eligibility, disbursement of funds, and auditing. ProMIS integrates data from public and private sector institutions and provides 13 web-based services in one easily accessible online portal,” Minister Campbell said. “Through the development of ProMIS, the previously paperbased social assistance pro-
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BAHFSA Suspected Conch Poisoning Update,
Fresh Conch Sales Resume Under Caution During the final week of April 2021 the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority’s (BAHFSA) Food Safety and Quality Unit made the Bahamian public aware of a number of suspected conch poisoning cases that had come to their attention in New Providence, and launched an investigation in partnership with the Surveillance Unit at the Ministry of Health along with several other government agencies and departments to try to determine the cause of the suspected cases. On May 17th, BAHFSA released a statement advising consumers not to purchase or consume any raw (fresh) conch or conch that they suspected was not properly handled and/or prepared (fully cooked) until the source of the contamination could be determined. They also noted that the purchasing and/or consumption of raw conch was at the consumer’s own risk, given their warning. At that time they informed that an active investigation was ongoing to determine the cause of the suspected conch poisonings in collaboration with the Public Hospitals Authority, Princess Margaret Hospital Microbiology Laboratory, the Food Safety and Technology Laboratory in the Department of Marine Resources and the Environmental Monitoring and Risk Assessment Division (EMRAD) Public Analyst Laboratory in the Department of Environmental Health Services. Until their findings were made known, BAHFSA asked that all conch vendors discontinued the preparation and sale of raw (fresh) conch dishes immediately, and said that upon the completion of the investigations, it would make its recommendations with regard to the consumption of raw conch. BAHFSA strongly advised all consumers to only eat
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Queen Conch (Strombus gigas). well-cooked conch at that time, heated at 100 deg. C for more than 10 minutes to ensure the destruction of any potential pathogenic organisms. It was also advised that this cooked conch not be left at temperatures above 5 deg. C (41 deg. F) for more than 2hrs., otherwise, consumers were advised to throw it out. BAHFSA further advised that if any person or their family member consumed raw conch and it made them feel ill, to seek treatment at the nearest clinic, hospital or Doctor’s office. They also ask that those affected provide the place and date of purchase and any other pertinent information or personal samples requested by medical personnel. BAHFSA also requested that
all medical facilities, including those on the Family Islands, report any suspected cases of gastroenteritis or conch poisoning to the Surveillance Unit of the Ministry of Health. On May 21st, in an update to their May 17th warnings, the BAHFSA Food Safety and Quality Unit advised consumers to continue to be vigilant when consuming raw (fresh) conch. BAHFSA cautioned that from March to October, sea temperatures are highest, (www.seatemperature. org), providing conditions favorable for microbial growth and therefore the public could expect that during this time, there may be additional reports of illness. Their release further stated: “As investigations continue, however, BAHFSA will allow vendors to resume the sale and preparation of raw (fresh) conch dishes but vendors are urged to engage in industry best practices for hygiene and to ensure food safety such as, the thorough washing of conch under potable running water; washing one’s hands; cleaning and sanitizing countertops, utensils and cutting boards; maintaining proper storage (keeping the conch out of the sun); and ensuring that the conch used is purchased from a reliable and trusted source. BAHFSA also requires that all suppliers of conch, provide a receipt of sale to their clients with
their name and the name of their boat and/or business that can be used in future traceability exercises. “As we continue our Food Handling and Preparation, Vendor Training, we look forward to working with all vendors to ensure that their product is safe, wholesome and of the best quality for consumers. “Remember, if you or any family member consumed raw conch, other seafood or any food and experience illness, seek treatment at the nearest clinic, hospital or Doctor’s office. Feel free to contact BAHFSA at bahfsa@bahamas.gov.bs, christopherworrell@bahamas.gov.bs or patriciajjohnson@bahamas.gov.bs for any additional inquiries.”
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The Island School Announces South Eleuthera Weather Station
As part of her research, Finlayson worked alongside our IT department to register our weather station and begin tracking and reporting data. We are thrilled to share that the Cape Eleuthera Island School is now the host of its own weather station! The station forecasts weather for South Eleuthera and is registered as ISOUTH933, and you can catch the weather for South Eleuthera through our station on Weather Underground! With the help of our IT department and Marjahn Finlayson, we were able to register our weather station online, with a live feed to Weather Underground to join the online international forecasting community. First, we had to acquire the appropriate equipment to monitor the weather, including current and historical conditions for temperature, surface-level pressure, rainfall, humidity, wind speed and direction and other features like solar radiation (for monitoring solar energy) and ultraviolet waves from the sun’s rays (to monitor skin exposure and risk). While this is fun data to share with our friends and families overseas and in other parts of The Bahamas, more importantly, this will help Marjahn and others as they study weather patterns in South Eleuthera. They hope to create a database of historical weather data to better forecast conditions in this region. In addition to The Bahamas’ Department of Meteorology’s weather station at Rock Sound Airport, the weather station at CEIS is one of the few weather stations in South Eleuthera. This is important because it allows residents of South Eleuthera to better forecast weather conditions by having different stations up to collect weather data. On Weather Underground, the weather station appears on a map showing temperature and wind data to compare with other weather station data in Central and North
Eleuthera, as well as other parts of The Bahamas. In the coming months and years, we will be able to compile weather data to have a full climatology (i.e. the long term weather patterns) of this region. We have two goals right now: to incorporate air quality data and involve more community citizen scientists to join in this forecast effort. In combining our current air quality data (available on Purple Air) to this weather station data, residents and visitors will have more information available to them to plan for upcoming days. Another goal is to set up an additional weather station at Deep Creek Middle School to compare climatological data between Cape Eleuthera and Deep Creek in the near future. We
hope this will give a better understanding of precipitation patterns in both areas. All of this information and the hub for our atmospheric science will be based out of our new tech lab at the Cape Eleuthera Institute. In addition to studying the weather trends, this space will be used for storing our underwater drones that will collect sea temperature and salinity data. Deploying these gliders in Bahamian waters is a collaborative project between CEI, NOAA and the University of Miami to improve hurricane monitoring and predictions in the region.
In the lab, Finlayson monitors the weather via the Weather Link Data Logger.
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Nurses Honour one of their own as Nurses Month Celebrated Page. 1
Nurse Monique Roberts-Cambridge (center right) stand with her colleagues serving in the medical community clinics. Monique Roberts-Cambridge was singled out Accolades on top of tributes, piled onto a slew and paid special recognition and honour, under of gifts, were the order of a Nurses Appreciation the theme, “Aspire to be great, continue to strive Service held on Friday morning, May 21st, 2021, durfor excellence”. ing ‘Nurses Month’, where a one-of-a-kind Nurse, Mrs. Nurse Cambridge graduated from the College of the Bahamas in 1988, and has been serving as a nurse for more than 30 years - with the majority of those years spent on her home island of Eleuthera. Numerous remarks and tributes were given in honour and recognition of who she was as a nurse, and her impact on people within the communities she served. The Central Eleuthera high school band also serenaded the audience, nurses and honouree with a number of selections, reminiscent of the local town marching band tradition, that Nurse Roberts Cambridge would have grown up with in her hometown of Hatchet Bay. Hank Johnson, MP for Central and South Eleuthera, who attended high school at the same time as Nurse Cambridge reminisced in his tribute, saying, “Monique Roberts Cambridge as a student together with her at the Governor’s Harbour High School was someone who aspired to achieve, and she did just that. When graduation day came and we had to part and go our separate ways, we knew that she would be successful in her life goals. The first time I saw her again after high school, she was dressed in blue at the Princess Margaret Hospital.” A large portrait of Nurse Monique Roberts-CamClay Sweeting, PLP candidate for Central bridge was just one of the many gifts and presenand South Eleuthera, in his remarks, highlighted tations made to her during the service of appreciaNurse Cambridge’s role in her annual charity, tion.
professional throughout Eleuthera’s Christmas in the Park event. “I think that people like Nurse Cambridge and other special people within our communities need to be celebrated more. People like her build countries and islands, and build Eleuthera.” He also lauded the nurses and doctors throughout Eleuthera for working in conditions that are not conducive to what they risk, and requested a standing ovation from the audience for their collective contribution to all living in Eleuthera. Resident District Medical Officer for Central Eleuthera, Dr. Allen Cho, in an emotional speech expressed his appreciation for all of the nurses that he had the opportunity to work with during his past three years working on the island, acknowledging the love, support and care he received from all of them, and in turn praising their talent, professionalism and work ethic. “I owe everything to my nursing team, as to what I have become today. I would not have achieved such appreciation and approbation without you guys. Please know that you are treasured and cherished, and will always have a special place in my heart. Let’s continue to be good partners in this journey, so that we can continue to give holistic care to our community and to our patients. For me I am still no one - still considered a work in progress. I can do some things, but for sure cannot do everything. I need someone, called ‘Nurse’.” P23
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Nurses Honour
Turning to the morning’s honouree, Dr. Cho, added, “To my Nurse Cambridge and her family, you are a blessing from above. No words can express how thankful I am for everything that you do. You did not only act as a Senior Nurse, but also as a Mother and Guiding Light to all of us. I consider myself the lucky one for having met you someone like you in this lifetime.” Nurse Cambridge, took the opportunity then to make a special gift presentation to Dr. Cho, on behalf of all the nurses serving in the Eleuthera District. Nurses from throughout the island, led by Head Nurse Mrs. Freda Cooper, were present in full force during the service of appreciation - all sharply decked out in uniform, in support of Nurse Cambridge. They were also all presented with gift baskets of appreciation in recognition of Nurses Month. Following the service, which saw many more tributes and messages read from the nursing leadership in New Providence, as well as stalwarts of the Central Eleuthera communities, honouree Nurse Cambridge gave her reaction to the overload of expression, “I am just overwhelmed. I am grateful. I know that I am loved. I knew that I was, but this... is proof. And you know, the nurses, to find the time out to actually do this during this pandemic when we are so busy...They are extraordinary. So, I just want to thank them, and thank everybody that contributed, that helped. I’m going to continue on as long as I have health and strength, and as long as God gives me breath. To continue to do and to serve my people.” Nurse Cambridge continues in her post as a Nursing Officer 1 (NO1) at the Hatchet Bay Clinic, in Central Eleuthera.
Dr. Allen Cho, District Medical Officer for Central gave a candid and moving tribute to both Nurse Monique Roberts-Cambridge, as well as the entire nursing team.
Above: Nurse Roberts-Cambridge receiving gifts and tributes from colleagues - Nurse Edwards, and former Head Nurse, Mrs. Sherrin Cooper. Below: The Central Eleuthera High School band paying tribute in song during the service of appreciation.
Bluff, Eleuthera Tel: 242-335-1880 Email: neshoppingctr@yahoo.com
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RBPF/YOUTH
An initial drill and exercise session was held by officer Brown on Friday, April 17th, at the Bannerman Town community park with seven young boys between the ages of 10 and 15, with further sessions continuing during the weeks to follow. The program, said officer Brown has blossomed, with an increase in numbers to about forty boys in total. Brown shared that he along with his ERYC members and their parents, attended a church service together at the Rock Sound Church of God, during the first week in May, where he and his young program members were prayed for. He described, “The community involvement and support has been tremendous. This program has seemingly brought the southern communities together and also has great potential for growth and development...” Officer Munroe, based in North Eleuthera has seen similar growth in the initiative in that area. In fact, Inspector Farquharson at Eleuthera Division Headquarters informed on May 22nd, that the program on island at that time had grown to have six groups, with both a male and female group in North, Central, and South Eleuthera. Farquharson shared that new OIC for Eleuthera, Chief Superintendent Brian Rolle sought to create this new youth outreach program, that could have a positive impact in the communities on island - and worked with officers in the division to put it into place - using the vision statement, ‘If not us, then who?’ “There are roughly 40 to 50 children per program group and they are doing well. His vision [OIC Rolle] is to reach the chil-
Police Constable Renardo Brown, visiting with children at the Green Castle Primary School. dren, and to provide a positive influence for them,” he explained. One of the first major goals of the program, said Inspector Farquharson was to have all of the ERYC members come together during the Independence celebrations in Governor’s Harbour in July, to perform their newly acquired drilling moves and techniques as one large combined group. “Normally the
programs have three rehearsals per week, but now we are practicing drilling every day, and they rotate between here and Hatchet Bay where the bulk of the children are located in Central. So, right now as we speak there are large rehearsals going on in North Eleuthera. There is a rehearsal going on in South Eleuthera with Constable Brown, as well as rehearsals in Spanish Wells and Harbour Island. So, we
Marching with purpose: Female ERYC members practice drills in preparation for the combined performance planned for Independence Day.
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are on the same page, same level, pushing towards Independence Day. We will have all teams coming together - over 300 young people. They will all be in uniform and performing.” Sergeant Albury, and Sergeant Wallace, based in Central Eleuthera on Saturday afternoon, May 22nd were working with their female group on the grounds of the Administrative building in Governor’s Harbour. Conveying her experience to date with the ERYC program, Sergeant Albury commented, “We are trying to get everybody to come on board, where we cover the whole area in the cen-
tral from Savannah Sound to Gregory Town... The program so far has proven to be a very successful initiative, where we have been teaching the children a discipline. Along with the fact that it is discipline, we are helping them also by mentoring them. “Someone asked the question ‘Is this only going to be drills?’ I told them no. Even now - end of term and national exams are coming up, and part of our mandate is that for the next two weeks, instead of drilling, we will be calling them via video chat and seeing where they are in their studies and whatnot. Also, from time to time we will visit churches with them throughout Central Eleuthera. So, it’s also about mentoring them in their youth... The children are very excited about this new program so far.” About the future vision for the program, Sergeant Albury noted, “Once
Male ERYC group in South Eleuthera visiting with the Rock Sound Church of God.
the drilling aspect of this is completed, we expect it to grow even larger than it is now... The original intent of the program was for the age group to be 12 to 17. Then we started to have kids come out at 9 and 10, because we don’t want to turn anyone away. The good thing about this program is we are not eliminating anyone. We are giving everyone an opportunity to be a part of the program... Hopefully this is going to be something that will continuously happen throughout the community, and even spread into the other Family Islands, with others taking hold of the concept of this program. So, the vision is for it to continue through the school semester, into the summer program, and into the next school year.”
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Officer Renardo Brown (left) and Kiwanis president, Cranston Patram (right) with a teacher and students at the Green Castle Primary School.
Male ERYC group in South Eleuthera visited by Eleuthera Zonta Bahamas representative, Ms. Jewel Edwards.
Sergeant Wallace leading by example as he demonstrates the proper form, step and rhythm of the drill at practice in Governor’s Harbour.
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Tackling litter: Girl Guides and Boy’s Club team up to clean up On Friday, May 21st, 2021, a group of young girls and boys could be seen picking up bags of litter and trash from around the public basketball court and playground area near the Tarpum Bay homecoming site. They were taking part in a cleanup- initiative, spearheaded by youth leader, Mrs. Beryl Carey Knowles. Mrs. Knowles, Bahamas Girl Guides Assistant Commissioner for the island of Eleuthera and Leader of ‘1st Tarpum Bay Sunflowers’, while passing this area recently in her home town, explained that she noticed all of the litter and trash accumulated under the bleachers and around the area. She said she decided to ask her young girls group if they wanted to get out of their regular indoor meeting and head outdoors for an area cleanup in the community. “So, I came back to my girl guides meeting, and I said to them, ‘Do you want to get out of the building and do a project’, and they all shouted yes! So we decided to do a clean-up campaign by the area of the basketball court- under the bleachers, under the swings, as well as under the playground slides where kids hangout.” Not to be left out, the girls were joined by a group of young boys as well. “I also lead a boy’s club with seven little boys between the ages of five and ten,” said Mrs. Knowles. “Three of the seven boys have sisters involved in my ‘Sunflowers’ group. The girls would always go home bragging about the stuff that they did in ‘Sunflowers’, so the boys pleaded with me to do activities with them as
well.” On the Friday afternoon, the boys also joined in on the clean-up campaign with the Sunflowers at the community basketball court. Mrs. Knowles, giving more detail about the new boy’s club program, described, “I have a number of things lined up for the boys to do. Also, when I do things with them, I always have a man present, so he can explain and do stuff. I have things lined up like fishing. We are supposed to go fishing next week Friday, and a gentleman will teach them how to put bait on a hook, prepare their fishing line and what not. I’ve already had someone teach them the sport of basketball. We also do experiments - last week we did the lava lamp, and I showed them how to do it, and explained the concept to them. The motto of the boy’s club is to learn something new and have fun doing it.”
Cleaning up around the basketball court area of the homecoming site in Tarpum Bay, by the young Bahamas Girl Guides and Boys Fun Club.
About the clean-up, and the great attitude of the young group as they took pride in making a small, but visible difference in their community, Mrs. Knowles commented, “I feel it’s a wonderful gesture the kids are doing in Tarpum Bay, and I feel that everyone should know about it... Our theme was giving back to the community.” Next on the agenda for the Sunflowers, she said was preparing several care packages that they would give to several of the elderly people within the Tarpum Bay community. Mrs. Knowles works along with Mrs. Audrey Culmer, Bahamas Girl Guides Commissioner for the island of Eleuthera.
Sunflowers in Tarpum Bay stand with leader Mrs. Beryl Carey Knowles.
Male chaperones are the modus operandi at the Boys Fun Club - giving them perspective.
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Central Eleuthera High School Celebrates its ’ Teacher of the Year ‘ Ms. Samantha Kezia Knowles. herself in student programs like the Interact Club, Prefect/ Student Leadership, and the Cooperative Club. She was also said to have challenged many of her students to sit the BGCSE Economics examination in grades 10 and 11 with much success.
During the first weekend in May 2021, the Central Eleuthera High School (CEHS) celebrated their ‘Teacher of the Year’, Ms. Samantha Kezia Knowles. CEHS Principal, Mrs. Marie Galanis conveyed congratulations to Ms. Knowles from the parents, students, staff, and administration of the school, and lauded that she was not only the Teacher of the Year for Central Eleuthera High School, but for the entire Central and North Eleuthera District. Ms. Knowles was described by Mrs. Galanis as a very positive addition to the CEHS staff, having involved
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Technology and a variety of activities were also standout ways that she used, as an organized and enthusiastic teacher to engage her students. Ms. Knowles’ outstanding leadership skills were also highlighted - demonstrated during the 20202021 school year in her role as Subject Coordinator for the Career and Technical Studies Department. It was said that she ensured goals set in September were being realised as the school year progressed. A passionate and dedicated educator of ten years Ms. Knowles is the mother of one daughter Saniyah Ashanti Knowles. She obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems at the Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley Georgia, in December 2005. In 2007, she started her teaching career as a Generalist at the Glintons’ Primary School in Long Island where she taught Grades Three and Four.
cesses were all able to be standardized, integrated and converted into an electronic system. ProMIS has the potential to tremendously transform the social service system,” Minister Campbell added. Applicants must meet certain criteria when applying for some types of assistance. As The Bahamas does not currently have a means of measuring income, ProMIS utilizes Proxy-Means Testing which was developed to generate a score for applicants based on fairly easy to observe characteristics of a household, such as the location and quality of the dwelling, ownership of durable goods, demographic structure of the household, and the education of adults. Scores are composite indices that reflect welfare levels. Three methods are used for Food Assistance payments under ProMIS, among them, the social assistance card, a Bank of the Bahamas Pre-Paid Card, which was launched in 2014 with the cooperation of the Bank of The Bahamas (BOB) for applicants receiving ongoing benefits. Approximately 7,000 persons are currently receiving their assistance through that means. The cards are Prepaid, debit cards that allow beneficiaries to pay for their groceries from local grocery stores and wholesalers. They cannot be used online, at ATMs or at stores that are not designated as grocery stores. The second means is the option of the paper coupon, generated by ProMIS with a unique QR Code. The paper coupons are redeemable at specified grocery stores. This
After two years of excellent service, Ms. Knowles relocated to New Providence and was posted at the Claridge Primary School. Her growing love and passion for teaching motivated her to pursue a career in the field of education, and eventually she obtained a Diploma in Secondary Education at The College of The Bahamas. She was then posted at the Anatol Rodgers High school where she taught Computer studies for six years and served as the Head of Department for Business Studies as well as the Business Magnet Program for four years. During her tenure as Head of Department, students were encouraged to sit the BGCSE Examinations from as early as Grade Ten. She worked assiduously to prepare them for the BGCSE Examinations and those who were successful eventually qualified for the College of The Bahamas’ Jump Start Program in their twelfth year. In 2017, she relocated to the island of Eleuthera where she currently teaches Computers, Commerce, Economics, Introduction To Business and Office Procedures. Just as she was embarking on a new era in her life, tragedy struck as she lost her father the late Rev. Dr. Clarence Henry Knowles, J.P. Even though
option is particularly used by the elderly and persons with disabilities as it allows them to receive their assistance payments in a more, timely, manner and without any expense being incurred by persons in this group. “And let me pause to point out that all during this pandemic, we have ensured that our elderly, and our persons with disabilities had their assistance vouchers delivered to their homes,” Minister Campbell said. The third method of payment is by digital Food Voucher via Kanoo or Mobile Assist. Via this method, beneficiaries can access the social assistance payments credited to their accounts anytime they wish from their mobile phones. “For rental assistance, fully digital payments are made directly into the recipients, that is, landlord’s accounts, at financial services providers such as OMNI or Cash N’ Go. For Burial, Financial and Utility assistance, money is paid directly to the vendor, while Uniform Assistance is paid via digital wallet,” Minister Campbell said. “It should be noted that the payment methods detailed above, are intended to help reduce the expenses often [borne] by beneficiaries in seeking access to social assistance – such as transportation, bank commission charges and time, etcetera – while ensuring reliability, regularity and efficiency.”
this was a devastating experience for her, she used her father’s legacy of being a diligent worker to continue to motivate, and empower students to excel in life. During her tenure, Ms. Knowles spearheaded and served on several committees which included: Graduation, Prefect, Awards, Booklet/Event program Creation and Beautification. Additionally, she was also a tech assistant and an advisor for the Key Club, Builders Club, Interact Club and Youth Cooperative Club. In other capacities Ms. Knowles contributed as a BGCSE Marker in the subjects of Commerce and Economics. She was also the key person in the initiation of the Annual Business Bowl Competition and the Annual National Economics Essay Competitions for public and private high schools. Moreover, she assisted with several college tours and job fairs for students; and also served as cross moderator for the University of the Bahamas teaching practice program. In 2019 Ms. Knowles was elected as Central Eleuthera High School’s Teacher of the year. After competing among other colleagues in the district of North and Central Eleuthera, she won the title of District Teacher of The Year.
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Curfew Lifted and Testing Requirements for Travel Removed for Eleutherans in New Emergency Order The Office of the Prime Minister on Sunday, May 16th, 2021 issued a release highlighting several provisions in a new Emergency Order published the same day. The release reads as follows: “Restaurants on islands previously prohibited from offering indoor dining may now offer indoor dining to patrons who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in accordance with the recently released Emergency Powers (COVID 19 Pandemic) (Management and Recovery) Order, 2021. This applies to New Providence and Abaco. Patrons must provide documentary proof of vaccination. All patrons and employees must continue to adhere to COVID-19 protocols. Also, in accordance with the Order, fully vaccinated individuals will not be required to take a RT PCR test for COVID-19 to travel from New Providence and Grand Bahama, and will not be required to take secondary testing on day five of inter-island travel when traveling from New Providence or
Grand Bahama. A fully vaccinated traveler, including citizens and residents, is not required to take a RT PCR test for COVID-19 to enter The Bahamas. In the case of international travel, a fully vaccinated traveler is defined as a person who has received the required number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and two weeks have elapsed since the person has completed the vaccine. Fully vaccinated travelers are still required to obtain a Travel Health Visa; however, visa fees for fully vaccinated persons have been reduced for citizens and residents. International travel health visas for fully vaccinated citizens and residents are $10. Domestic travel visas for fully vaccinated travelers are free of charge. The fine for submitting falsified vaccination records is $10,000 or two years imprisonment, or both. Daily curfews have been lifted from all Family
Islands where a curfew was in place – Abaco, Eleuthera and Exuma. Grand Bahama’s daily curfew remains 11pm to 5am. The daily curfew on New Providence remains 10pm to 5am. Under the new Order, the requirement has been removed for RT PCR COVID-19 testing for persons traveling from Abaco, Eleuthera and Exuma. The RT PCR COVID-19 test requirement remains in place for persons traveling from New Providence and Grand Bahama, except in the case of fully vaccinated travelers who are exempted from the test requirement. To access the complete Emergency Powers (COVID 19 Pandemic) (Management and Recovery) Order, 2021 visit opm.gov.bs.” Source: Office of the Prime Minister Commonwealth of The Bahamas 16 May 2021
Flipped: Overturned Trailer in GH a dramatic sight but avoids causing Major Damage or Harm
Above: An overturned trailer, which separated from its tractor head as the driver turned the corner of the junction in Governor’s Harbour. Around 6pm on Friday, May 14th, 2021, a cargo trailer destined for North Eleuthera was traveling away from the Cupid’s Cay dock on Haynes Avenue, along the Governor’s Harbour bay front, when the unthinkable happened. According to witness accounts, as the driver approached the junction of Haynes Avenue and Queen’s Highway, and attempted to turn the corner, the trailer came loose from the tractor head and overturned onto its side, coming to a rest just in front of the Damianos Sotheby’s building. “Fortunately no one was injured. When I saw it from that view there, I said, Lord, don’t let any cars be under that,” remarked one bystander, adding, “I think they did damage the rear end of a
car, but that was it, fortunately.” Edrick Gibson, with Elite Brokers and Seacor Island Lines, while at the site of the accident, informed that the goods inside the trailer were earmarked for the North Eleuthera Shopping Center. “Now all the goods being transported have to be taken out by hand, so we are trying to get some more manpower. What we need is a crane to right it, once it is empty. It’s too heavy now for a crane to lift it.” Mr. Gibson further explained that they had already arranged to have the crane equipment on location, once the goods inside the trailer had been secured into another transport vehicle. “That will happen this evening, as we want to get it out
of the road. Once it’s empty - with the crane, we will just turn it over on to its wheels.” He also expressed his relief that no one had been hurt during the accident, “Once no one got hurt, that was our number one concern. Whatever else there is, we can deal with it. We wouldn’t have wanted anyone trapped in that. Other things can be replaced.” “Everyone here is trying to give us a hand,” he added referring to volunteers, customs officers, and other officials there, assisting with clearing the blockage. Police were also on scene assisting with the diversion of traffic until the crane arrived to begin the process of righting the overturned trailer.
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CTI-HITS Graduation
Harbour Island and Nassau, Mr. Austin encouraged the students to stay keenly focused on developing their desired businesses. He admonished the students to “mind their business,” and to continuously cultivate excellence in every undertaking. “I am a business owner, and thus, for fear of failure, I must ‘mind my business’. Whether that’s ensuring customers are served a quality product, or ensuring great relationships with my vendors, or even if I am making a sandwich myself. I consider each individual role as my business, and so I must put pride into my work and give it 100% and then some,” said Mr. Austin. As a core partner and the official education and training arm of the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF), CTI is the first and only post secondary, nonprofit, training and business enterprise institution in The Bahamas. Despite the variety of challenges imposed by COVID-19 over the last year, CTI continues to adapt and thrive offering a viable path to economic empowerment for residents. In 2020, notwithstanding face-toface learning restrictions, 93 students throughout Eleuthera successfully completed skills training programs through CTI diversifying their income streams and strengthening the local economy. “We are so very proud of all our students and in particular this class of graduates for their diligent effort and hard work, which has certainly paid off. They have persevered and embraced the opportunity to retool themselves for career success,” said Ms. Devi-Nair.
“Recognizing that skills training programs are a critical lifeline, CTI is preparing to roll out a robust and newly expanded course offering to capitalize on current marketplace opportunities and help Eleutherans adapt to the changing economic landscape,” she added.
For more information on upcoming courses, and CTI’s Online Courses on its Virtual Campus which offers Professional Development, Workforce, Business Essential and Soft Skills Training call:242-815-3800, email: CTI@oneeleuthera.org or visit: https://oneeleuthera.myvirtualcampus.co/
Basic Culinary students at the Centre for Training and Innovation’s Harbour Island Trade School put their theoretical knowledge into practice. (PHOTO: One Eleuthera Foundation)
Friends of H.I.T.S Treasurer, Ms. Kate Millard; Ms. Banu Devi-Nair, Academic Dean, Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) (PHOTO: One Eleuthera Foundation)
Entry Level Carpentry Students at the Centre for Training and Innovation’s Harbour Island Trade School CTI-H.I.T.S. (PHOTO: One Eleuthera Foundation)
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Late Dry Season fires burn bush areas, impacting utility services and buildings Dry and hot weather during the month of April and early May was noted as the possible catalyst for bush fire incidences recorded during the same time, as the region’s dry season, which generally runs from about February to June drew to a close. Bush fires in areas just north of James’ Cistern, along Queen’s Highway, as well as in the Ocean View neighbourhood, just north of Governor’s Harbour, damaged swathes of coppice forest, burned out utility poles, as well as several building structures, and kept local volunteer fire services busy, having to visit sites multiple times, battling simmering embers. On Monday, May 10th, 2021, during the early afternoon, as volunteer firefighters battled flames which had overtaken two unoccupied buildings in the Ocean View area, north of Governor’s Harbour, neighbours stood nearby, concerned about the second incident of apparent bush fire in their neighbourhood within a three-week period. Sherrie Miethe, originally from Germany and now living in Eleuthera, with a home at Ocean View, was among the group of residents watching the firefighters work, across the street from the latest fire. She had experienced the fright of bush fire coming scarily close to her residence, several homes down the road from this one, just three weeks earlier. “I had seen plumes of smoke some distance away in the bush. We had all seen the smoke, and I monitored it for days. We tried to see if we could get into the bush to get close enough, but we couldn’t get in there, because it was just too thick. It was slow burning, and all we’d see was a little plume. “I watched from here, and you would see it kind of snaking through the forest leaving a brown path, and it got down close to my property line. We then thought that it was pretty much out, but we couldn’t see very well. So, it was an early Saturday morning, at about 4am, when I looked out of my window and saw embers flying through the air. The house next door to mine, which was an abandoned residence, had caught fire, and it went up like crazy, and kept
jumping.” “It was a neighbourhood effort. Thank God for the Fire Brigade - I love these guys. They came that morning and the next day, multiple times - because it kept flaring up again... They got on the roofs and they kept my roof wet. Police had to assist with taking my husband, who has dementia, out of the house during that early hour of the morning. The fires are a problem here - they happen a lot. We haven’t had any substantial rain here in many weeks, but I don’t know the cause,” shared Sherrie. The following day, on Tuesday, May 11th, 2021, volunteer firemen were on the job again, tackling a bush fire that raged along Queen’s Highway, just north of James Cistern, burning through forest, as well as a utility pole - damaging it beyond continued use. This resulted in a more than four-hour power outage in the Central Eleuthera area on Wednesday morning, May 12th, as Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) crews worked to replace the destroyed utility pole. Fire crews were also seen as BPL personnel worked on Wednesday, making sure there were no remaining embers. According to Kenwood Culmer with One Eleuthera Emergency Services, bush fires have been prevalent in South Eleuthera during this dry
Electricity supply in the Central Eleuthera area was disrupted for several hours on May 12th, as Utility workers made repairs to damaged infrastructure.
season as well, with some notable areas being; significant coppice forest burns along the Queen’s Highway, just north of Tarpum Bay, as well as areas between Rock Sound and Green Castle. During the latter part of May, he also described bush fires having to be tackled in the commonage property area of Tarpum Bay. North Eleuthera, said one volunteer fireman in that area, was not left out during the past several months, with fires battled in several areas including along the approach road into Lower Bogue, as well as areas along the road leading into The Bluff township from Queen’s Highway. Two days of heavy rain showers, across the island, began to fall on Thursday morning, May 13th. This and other May showers were a welcome relief for concerned residents, as well as volunteer fire crews, who had been kept on their toes.
Volunteer fire crews tackling a bush fire within the Ocean View neighbourhood, north of Governor’s Harbour on Monday, May 10th which destroyed two buildings.
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Ninth graders at Central Eleuthera High School celebrated their principal Mrs. Galanis as she prepares to say farewell for retirement.
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enade of Lionel Ritchie’s ‘Once, Twice, Three Times a Lady’ to top off an amazing weekend for the outgoing principal. In response to the sheer scope of the effort made by her colleagues and longtime friends to organize the weekend of celebration in her honour, Mrs. Galanis shared, “I felt the love expressed to me during these four days of celebration. The committee went above and beyond to celebrate my years of service. My family, colleague educators, former students, present students, parents, government officials, NGO’s all celebrated with me. It is a great feeling to feel appreciated. The planning and execution of the four days of celebration were unmatched by anything I have experienced prior to this. I can only imagine the dedication and hard work that it took to pull it off. All of the details for each day... The
decorations, t-shirts, motorcade, maritime cadets salute, food, speakers, videos and gifts... Such an awesome experience.” She added, “I am truly grateful to my God Jehovah for giving me the courage and the strength to work all of these years in education. And grateful for the support of my village: my husband, my family, the committee members, colleagues, students, parents, and community members for their support all of these years. It was a beautiful experience.” The committee members who worked to pull off such a special weekend included: CoChairpersons - Mrs. Geneal Sweeting- Vice Principal, and Mrs. Caroline Rolle. Assisted by: Mrs. Sharlene Meadows, Ms. Shantel Seymour, Mrs. Deericka Deal, Ms. Emily Petty, Mrs. Maisie Thompson Pinder and Mrs. Davia Smith. Former student, Andrea Culmer (center), took time out to spend the weekend celebrating with Mr. and Mrs. Galanis.
Mrs. Galanis (center), had the pleasure of celebrating the weekend with close family by her side.
Mrs. Nixon, CEHS Secretary, presents a basket of goodies to principal Mrs. Galanis.
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Death from long working hours
least 55 hours a week. Between 2000 and 2016, the number of deaths from heart disease due to working long hours increased by 42%, and from stroke by 19%. This work-related disease burden is particularly significant in men (72% of deaths occurred among males), people living in the Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions, and middle-aged or older workers. Most of the deaths recorded were among people dying aged 60-79 years, who had worked for 55 hours or more per week between the ages of 45 and 74 years. With working long hours now known to be responsible for about one-third of the total estimated work-related burden of disease, it is established as the risk factor with the largest occupational disease burden. This shifts thinking towards a relatively new and more psychosocial occupational risk factor to human health. The study concludes that working 55 or more hours per week is associated with an estimated 35% higher risk of a stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from ischemic heart disease, compared to working 35-40 hours a week. Further, the number of people working long hours is increasing, and currently stands at 9% of the total population globally. This trend puts even more people at risk of work-related disability and early death. The new analysis comes as the COVID-19 pandemic shines a spotlight on managing working hours; the pandemic is accelerating developments that could feed the trend towards increased working time. “The COVID-19 pandemic has sig-
nificantly changed the way many people work,“ said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Teleworking has become the norm in many industries, often blurring the boundaries between home and work. In addition, many businesses have been forced to scale back or shut down operations to save money, and people who are still on the payroll end up working longer hours. No job is worth the risk of stroke or heart disease. Governments, employers and workers need to work together to agree on limits to protect the health of workers.” “Working 55 hours or more per week is a serious health hazard,” added Dr Maria Neira, Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, at the World Health Organization. “It’s time that we all, governments, employers, and employees wake up to the fact that long working hours can lead to premature death”. Governments, employers and workers can take the following actions to protect workers’ health: -governments can introduce, implement and enforce laws, regulations and policies that ban mandatory overtime and ensure maximum limits on working time; -bipartite or collective bargaining agreements between employers and workers’ associations can arrange working time to be more flexible, while at the same time agreeing on a maximum number of working hours; -employees could share working hours to ensure that numbers of hours worked do not climb above 55 or more per week.
Bahamas Department of Statistics Releases GDP Estimates By Island for the First Time Ever ADVANCE ESTIMATES FOR GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT BY ISLAND: 2015 - 2020 The National Accounts Section of the Department of Statistics on June 1st, 2021, released for the first time ever the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by Island which now includes detailed family Islands and Island groupings. This report shows the GDP for: New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Andros, Eleuthera, Exuma, Long Island, Bimini and Berry Islands; Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island and Inagua; Cat Island, San Salvador and Rum Cay; and the Other Family Islands. These estimates have been produced by major industrial groupings and cover the years 2015 to 2020.
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commodation, Food Services, and Arts, Other Services, Household Employment & Extraterritorial Org. b. Andros Andros maintained a steady contribution to overall Bahamas GDP, of 1%, for the years 2015 to 2020. In 2016, the GDP of Andros fell by $2 million but rebounded in 2017, with an increase of $14 million. In each of the subsequent two years, of 2018 and 2019, Andros experienced consecutive negative growth of 5%. In 2020, despite the COVID-19 Pandemic, the GDP of Andros grew by $12 million, supported by gains in all the combined industry groups with the exception of two, namely Mining, Quarrying, Manufacturing, Electricity, Gas, Water supply, Sewerage & Construction and Real Estate activities, Owner Occupied & Actual Rents.
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The Department describes this inaugural report as a marked achievement as it seeks to enhance the provision of economic statistics to assist in both private and public sector decisionmaking. The data now makes possible a more robust and relevant analysis of the various family island economies while seeking to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of the data. Summary Findings for 2020 Of the 2020 GDP of $9.908 billion in nominal (current) dollars, New Providence (NP) represented $7.422 billion (74.9%), Grand Bahama (GB) $1.437 billion (14.5%) and Family Islands (FI), the remaining $1.048 billion (10.6%). A disaggregation of the Family Islands’ share shows the following contributions to the 2020 GDP performance: Eleuthera, $269 million (2.7%); Abaco, $243 million (2.5%); Exuma, $137 million (1.4%); Andros, $107 million (1.1%); Long Island, $74 million (0.7%); Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island and Inagua, $103 million (1%); Bimini and the Berry Islands, $47 million (0.5%); Cat Island, San Salvador and Rum Cay, $35 million (0.4%); and the remaining Family Islands, $34 million (0.3%). New Providence The 2015 - 2020 annual GDP trends for New Providence revealed gains in its percentage contribution to overall output for The Bahamas—with the share moving from 70% in 2015 to 75% in 2020. As the main center of domestic economic activity, the adverse effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic was most evident in the 25% contraction posted in GDP for 2020. Consistent with the high concentration of tourism activity in New Providence, which includes Paradise Island, the contraction was most evident in the Accommodation and Food Services Sector. Grand Bahama Grand Bahama’s GDP for the review period revealed a decline in its contribution to the total GDP of The Bahamas—moving from a high of 17% in 2015 to a low of 15% in 2020. Underlying these developments were a series of events that impacted the Grand Bahamian economy, commencing with the adverse impact of Hurricane Erma in 2017. The economy rebounded from this devastation in
2018, and recorded a modest fall off in 2019—as growth in the first eight months was tempered by the impact of Hurricane Dorian on the Eastern and parts of Central Grand Bahama. The contraction in 2020 was associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic, combined with a temporary halt in the hurricane rebuilding efforts. The Family Islands Graph 3: Family Island GDP Distribution (pg34)
The Family Island grouping comprises the following: Abaco, Andros, Eleuthera, Exuma, Long Island, with the remaining islands combined to maintain the confidentially of businesses within specific industries. These remaining islands are represented in the following groups: Bimini and Berry Islands; Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island and Inagua; Cat Island, San Salvador and Rum Cay; and the Other Family Islands. Graph 3 shows the proportions of each island/island group of the total $1.048 billion in GDP contribution for the Family Islands. This approach was also taken to maintain confidentiality within the combined industrial groups. a. Abaco The GDP of Abaco for 2015 to 2020 showed that its contribution to GDP shrank from 4.5% to 2.4% of the total Bahamian economy. For many years, Abaco has maintained its position as the third largest island contributor to the overall economy of The Bahamas. However, in 2019, the devastation of Hurricane Dorian reduced the GDP of Abaco, by 35%, to be followed in 2020 by a further 38% yearover-year contraction caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The combined Industrial group that experienced the greatest reduction in 2020 was Ac-
c. Eleuthera The GDP of Eleuthera for 2015 to 2020 showed that its contribution to GDP fluctuated between 2% and 3% of the total GDP of The Bahamas. In 2017, Eleuthera experience the largest year-onyear growth of 18%, which was virtually maintained, with minor dips in 2018 and 2019. The effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Eleuthera’s GDP in 2020 resulted in a contraction of 13% in output. The majority of the decrease was experienced in the following combined industrial groups: Accommodation, Food Services, and Arts, Other Services, Household Employment & Extraterritorial Org. and Mining, Quarrying, Manufacturing, Electricity, Gas, Water supply, Sewerage & Construction. d. Exuma The GDP of Exuma for the years 2015 to 2020 showed a fall-off in its contribution to the total GDP of The Bahamas, from 1.6% in 2015 to 1.4% in 2020. After two years of relatively stable output, the level of economic activity improved in 2017 and 2018, by 13% and 8%, respectively. However, in 2019 the economy contracted by 15%, and further by a COVID-19 induced decline of 26% in 2020. The latter contraction was concentrated in the following combined industrial group: Accommodation, Food Services, and Arts, Other Services, Household Employment & Extraterritorial Org. This particular combined industrial group was reduced by 52% when compared to 2019. e. Long Island Over the period 2015-2020, the economy of Long Island contribution to
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STATEMENT from the CHAIRMAN of THE CARIBBEAN
COMMUNITY (CARICOM), DR. KEITH ROWLEY, PM of Trinidad & Tobago on the selection to the new CARICOM SECRETARY-GENERAL (First woman, & UWI graduate, from Belize) Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) meeting virtually in Special Session on Tuesday 11 May unanimously agreed to appoint Dr. Carla Natalie Barnett as the 8th CARICOM Secretary-General. Dr. Barnett, a national of Belize, is the first woman and the first Belizean to be selected for the post. She will replace Ambassador Irwin LaRocque who is completing his second term. She will assume office on 15 August 2021. Heads of Government in congratulating Dr Barnett on her selection, recognised the historic moment for the Community. A former Deputy Secretary General of CARICOM, Dr. Barnett was formerly vice president of the Belize Senate and has served in various Dr. Carla Natalie Barnett, 8th CARICOM Secretary-General.
ministerial capacities in her country’s government. She has also served as Financial Secretary of Belize and Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Belize, as well as Vice-President (Operations) of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). Dr. Barnett attained her Ph.D. in Social Sciences from the University of the West Indies, (UWI) Mona Campus in Jamaica. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Economics from the University of Western Ontario in Canada, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the UWI. Since 1973, there have been eight secretaries general. These were William Demas, Trinidad and Tobago; Sir Alistair McIntyre, Grenada; Joseph Tyndall, Guyana (Acting); Kurleigh King, Barbados; Roderick Rainford, Jamaica; Edwin Carrington, Trinidad and Tobago; Lolita Applewhaite, Barbados (Acting); and, currently, Irwin LaRocque, Dominica. Ambassador LaRocque took the helm of the Caricom Secretariat at a very difficult time for the regional integration process. His nearly 10-year tenure was fraught with challenges: The failure to make significant progress in implementing the Caricom
Single Market and Economy (CSME) now in its 20th year; tensions between Jamaica and other member states over the movement of skilled nationals and immigration issues generally; difficulties in coordinating foreign policy issues; crises in Haiti; trade disputes; questions about the admission of new members and dealing with external trade agreements and negotiations, among other things. In addition, Secretary General LaRocque, as chief executive officer, has had to deal with serious budget shortfalls as member states have been tardy in paying their contributions. There have also been continuing difficulties in adequately staffing the secretariat with needed technical experts and to pay internationally competitive salaries in what was considered a hardship post. This also affected the ability to acquire more modern equipment and services, to be represented overseas, and to travel to meetings.
opinion
Law & Order In the fourth chapter of the book of Genesis it is recorded that the oldest son of Adam and Eve killed his younger brother. Cain was angry because God rejected his fruit and vegetable offering but accepted Abel’s meat offering. At that time there was no law and many people today wonder why when God confronted Cain about his actions it seems like God was protecting Cain! After Man had lived on this earth for about 1600 years, God concluded that the moral state of the world was so corrupt that there was no cure, and He determined the only solution was to destroy all and start anew. After flooding the earth and saving only Mr. Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives, along with a specimen of all land creatures that are alive today, God began anew. When they left the Ark, God spoke to Mr. Noah and made a covenant with him and all living things. “And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; ‘FOR IN THE IMAGE OF GOD HAS GOD MADE MAN’.Gen.9:5-6 Today many countries have abol-
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ished the ‘Death Penalty’ and many who still have it are no longer enforcing it because they do not wish to ‘offend’. There is now a strong outcry for the complete discontinuation of this law as many see it as cruel and inhumane. To get an appreciation of why God established this requirement after the flood, and wrote it again in the Law that He gave to the people of Israel through Moses at the time that He established them as a nation; you must go back to the beginning when Cain killed Abel. God also said to Noah and his family after the flood “Never again will all life be destroyed by waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” God made a clear declaration that He would not repeat this procedure again. To ensure that the people living on this earth did not become totally corrupt and violent, men were to take responsibility for the violent acts of their fellowmen by keeping vengeance in-check. And to demonstrate just how special the life of a human is, any animal that killed a person, it was commanded to be hunted and killed. These days when there are numerous murders taking place in this country and around the world, some people are more concerned for the killing of a pet animal, but have little interest in the killing of our fellow humans. More and more the tolerance level for God required justice is being
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eroded. We have been warned that in these last days, lawlessness will and has become the norm, you grow accustomed to it and are unaffected by it. Jesus warned us that in the last days the moral conditions around the world will be just like it was at the time of the flood. He also likened it to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah at the time when they were destroyed because of the unbridled immoral activities that were allowed to exist there. We are being ordered to accept the same behaviors as ‘NORMAL’ today, and then we wonder why the murder rate continues to rise, the courts are overwhelmed with unending lines of cases, and our younger generation is in a fog! The Psalmist said “The Earth is the Lord’s” and he is right, this world does not belong to us, we are only temporary occupiers and as such are accountable to God Almighty, the Eternal Creator, and He will demand an accounting! Today there is a very strong and not-so-subtle effort being made to remove the very knowledge of God from the consciousness of all people, and for many it is working. When God confronted Cain about the murder of his brother, Cain asked God “Am I my brother’s keeper”? God has made it abundantly clear that we are all our brothers’ keeper! To understand God you have to understand ‘LOVE’ because the Bible says that God-is-love. Jesus said “You shall love
By: Andrew L. Burrows andrewburrows1@gmail.com your neighbor as you love yourself”. God is both just, and He is merciful, and in order to be that way, He introduced the provision of a ‘Substitute’, in order for me, the guilty person to be forgiven, someone else must die. God demonstrated this when Adam and Eve sinned; He shed the blood of innocent animals to obtain the skins that were used to clothe them. Jesus died on the cross to pay for all our sins. (First published, May 2016)
BMOTA Sustainable
and our alignment with GSTC is an essential step in that journey.”
tion this island nation for a strong recovery and more resilient future.”
Kristal Bethel, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation’s Senior Director, Sustainable Tourism, added, “We are grateful to be a partner in GSTC’s global efforts and look forward to enhancing our commitment to sustainable tourism in The Bahamas, using their destination criteria as a critical guide to success.
Kathleen Pittman, GSTC Program Director for the Caribbean, and Strategic Partnerships, noted, “The Bahamas showed strategic foresight in launching this partnership with GSTC at this critical moment. Driving our work together is The Bahamas’ priority of tourism recovery, which has local community benefits as its central objective.” GSTC encourages National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) and Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) pursuing sustainability practices in the development and management of tourism, to join as GSTC members and apply the GSTC Destination Criteria. Destinations can eventually aim for being certified by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body as a sustainable tourist destination.
GSTC Welcomes The Bahamas: Randy Durband, GSTC CEO, remarked, “We welcome The Bahamas as a member of GSTC, joining a growing group of National Tourism Organizations from throughout the world. GSTC also applauds the initiative of The Bahamas in taking advantage of a series of GSTC training and capacity building resources to better posi-
Bahamas Minister of Tourism and Aviation, Dionisio D’Aguilar.
The Bahamas Government is a protector of both the archipelago’s pristine beauty and its endangered species and takes pride in being an eco-friendly destination. The critically important work of preserving these natural environments is managed by the Bahamas National Trust, an organization noted for its vast land-based and wetland conservation efforts on the islands
of Andros, Abaco, New Providence, Exuma, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama and Inagua, the latter of which is home to the largest remaining breeding colony of West Indian flamingos in the world. For more information about eco-tourism in The Bahamas, visit: https://www.bahamas.com/planyour-trip/ecotourism.
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Select police reports, shared by the RBPF Found Firearm : On Sunday 23rd May 2021, sometime around 4:00pm. Officers while on mobile patrol, on Queens Highway, Governors Harbour, received an anonymous call, whom reported that while walking in the area of the Old Navy Base they observed what appeared to be a rifle type gun lying in bushes near the entrance road to the base. The caller refused to give any further information. As a result the mentioned officers proceeded to that area where they combed the road’s edge where they recovered from bushes a black and brown DRACO 7.62×39mm High Powered Assault Rifle with a banana type magazine containing fifteen live 7.62 .39mm ammunition. This matter is under active investigation. Drug Arrest/Poss. D/Drugs Supply: On Saturday 22nd May, 2021 sometime around 8:25 pm, Officers while out on special patrol on Cupid’s Cay, Eleuthera stopped and searched an adult male in reference to dangerous drugs and firearm. As a result of the search, a quantity of suspected marijuana was found in his possession. He was then arrested and cautioned in reference to possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. He was later transported to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station for further investigations.
w/Intent to
Search Warrant Executed On Saturday 22nd May 2021 sometime around 9:15 pm, Officers executed a search warrant on the residence of an adult male situated in Governor’s Harbour. Officers reported while searching the kitchen area they discovered (1) silver foil wrap, containing a quantity of suspected marijuana, (1) partially smoked suspected marijuana cigarette, a black Oster blender containing a quantity of suspected marijuana residue, a white bowl containing suspected marijuana residue, a measuring scale, and a black Food Saver sealer. The officers also discovered the sum of $4,800.00 in the suspect’s bedroom, which was seized as suspected proceeds from the
Crime News
locally
sales of dangerous drugs. The suspect was processed and charged with possession of Dangerous Drugs with intent to supply. Arrest: Possession of Dangerous Drugs: On Friday 21st May, 2021 sometime around 5:40 pm Officers reported while conducting a road check in the Savannah Sound area they arrested and cautioned an adult male in reference to possession of dangerous drugs. He was later transported to the Rock Sound, Police Station for further investigations. Possession of Dangerous Drugs Supply Arrest : On Saturday 15th May, 2021, sometime around 5:50pm, Officers came in at the Rock Sound Police Station with an adult male under arrest for Possession of Dangerous Drugs with the Intent to Supply. The said officers were on mobile patrol in the area of Martin Luther King Drive, Rock Sound when they observed some persons standing at the rear of a local establishment acting in a suspicious manner. Sometime around 5:40pm, same date, while searching the suspect Officers found on his person five (5) pieces of foil papers each containing a quantity of grassy substance suspected to be Indian Hemp. As a result, he was arrested for Possession of Dangerous Drugs with the intent to supply same to another. Officers also collected from the suspect’s person five hundred and sixteen dollars cash ($516.00) as proceeds suspected to have been derived from the sale of dangerous drugs. The suspect was processed and charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs with the Intent to Supply same to another.
with the intent to
Arrest: Possession of DangerDrugs: At about 9:00 pm on Saturday 15th May 2021, Officers while at Queens Highway, Green Castle arrested and cautioned an adult male in reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs - suspected marijuana. The suspect took officers to his residence to verify his identity and then he showed officers a Black bag, where, disguised as Black and Mild
ous
cigars were (11) eleven pre-rolled Marijuana cigars. The suspect was further cautioned and transported to the Rock Sound Police Station where he was processed and charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs with intent to supply. Arrest for PossesDangerous Drugs: On Friday 14 May 2021 sometime around 9:05 pm Officers while conducting mobile patrols in the area of Victoria Avenue, Hatchet Bay arrested and cautioned an adult male in reference to possession of dangerous drugs. He was later transported to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station where he was processed and charged for that offence. sion of
May/June, 2021 Drug Arrest/Search Warrant Executed : On Sunday 9th May 2021, sometime around 1:15pm Officers acting on information received and armed with a search warrant in reference to dangerous drugs and firearms, proceeded to the residence of an adult male. A search was then conducted of his residence, and while searching inside a dresser drawer, the officers found (1) clear plastic baggie containing a quantity of suspected marijuana and (1) silver foil wrap, also containing a quantity of suspected marijuana. On completion of the search the suspect was taken to Governor’s Harbor Police Station where he was processed and charged with that offence.
Police advisory concerning fraudulent car sale web sites (June 1, 2021 - RBPF, New Providence.) The Financial Crime Investigations Branch of the Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to advise the public of fraudulent car sales company web sites. The public should be aware of this new trend. Fraudsters are posing as legitimate car sale company agents. They are engaging in conversations with individuals while on Facebook or other social media sites in an effort to solicit potential clients to purchase vehicles. Once individuals express the desire to purchase a vehicle via the messenger app, the fraudsters respond by asking them the make, model and year of vehicle they want to purchase. For example, take a 2016 Honda Accord. The fraudsters then send them images of vehicles fitting their desired description and specifications. The fraudsters also inform them of the price of the vehicle including shipping cost. Following the agreement on the price, a Pro Forma Invoice is sent via email. The fraudsters also gives wire transfer instructions and the name of the receiver. The receivers are described as a broker for the company. The victim then goes to bank and wires the specified amount. The fraudulent company informs the individual that the vehicle would take 6 to 8 weeks to arrive. However, before the expected arrival date, the fraudulent company would create excuses as to the reason why the vehicle has not arrived. Such as shipping delays due to covid-19 pandemic, wrong wire transfer information ie. money sent to wrong account or that the victim owes a balance for shipping fees. After weeks or months of being turned around, the matter is reported to the police. Individuals stated that these social media pages appear legitimate as they contain website information which gives the impression that the social media page, website, and email are legitimate. For example, ABCautocarsales. com and/or an email address, ABCsales@mail.com. Unsuspecting persons then become comfortable, thinking that the Company is legitimate, when in fact they are not.
Recommendation:
The public can take preventative measures by calling the Financial Crimes Investigations Branch to assist them
Police Contact Numbers
HeadQuarters (GH) 332-3500
Governor’s Harbour 332-2111 OR 332-2117 O/C Governor’s Harbour 332-2723 Gov.Harb. Airport Station 332-2323 Deep Creek Station 334-8207 Tarpum Bay Station 334-4033 Rock Sound Station 334-2244 Rock Sound Sgt. Office 334-2212 Rock Sound Airport Stn 334-2052 L. Bogue Station (Airport) 335-1208 Harbour Island Station 333-2111 O/C Harbour Island 333-2327 Spanish Wells Station 333-4030 Gregory Town Station 335-5322 Hatchet Bay Station 335-0086
in verifying the legitimacy of a particular online car sale company. Additionally, an internet searches can be conducted on a potential business before money is sent to international countries. During a basic internet search, we have seen where individuals from other countries made comments about their experience. This can be a helpful tool when little to no information is known about a company that appears on social media. A little research and help from the police can save you thousands of dollars. CONFIDENTIAL HOTLINE Police are appealing to members of the public, who may have information that can assist with our investigations into these incidents and other criminal matters, to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 502-9991/2, Crime stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477) or the nearest police station Please visit the Royal Bahamas Police Force Website at www.royalbahamaspolice.org or Facebook page at www. facebook.com/rbpforce for Latest News, Daily Crime Reports and additional Crime Prevention Tips.
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Tackling Litter too !
The Eleutheran
Rock Sound Beach Clean-Up with Geno
Geno (front center) joined by classmates, ERYC members, and many other volunteers for Rock Sound beach clean up. Geno Guina, fully supported by his Mom Lisa, his classmates, other community members, as well as boys from the new South Eleuthera chapter of the Eleuthera Royal Youth Corps with officer Renardo Brown, organized a beach cleanup during the month of May in his Rock Sound home town. On Saturday, May 15th, the young nine-year-old, who was said to have had the inspiration to pick up the glass bottles, plastics and other debris off of the beach which runs along the Rock Sound homecoming site, along with more than 50 classmates, community volunteers, and Youth Corps participants, successfully collected eight (8) bags and buckets of
glass and trash. Clay Sweeting, PLP candidate for Central and South Eleuthera, also stopped by during the clean-up with words of encouragement to Geno, later commenting, “I was so excited to visit a community cleanup program organized by young Geno Guina of Rock Sound. This man realized the need to clean the beach of all the broken bottles and debris, and along with many of his schoolmates, did just that. I congratulate him and everyone involved.” The glass bottles collected during the initiative were given to Mrs. Shorlette Cartwright to crush and use to make her special brand of artwork. Candidate Clay Sweeting dropped by clean up efforts and greeted young Geno.
Snapshot Covid -19
As it was June 2nd, 2021
For more information visit www.EleutheraNews.com
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World Data
(https://clustrmaps.com/)
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Data/Stats
the total economy of The Bahamas increased from 0.5% to 0.7%. Following the devastation of Hurricane Joaquin in 2015, the GDP of Long Island remained constant through 2017. In 2018, there was a substantial upturn in economy output, of $23 million, which was sustained in 2019, and followed by a modest decline in 2020 of $6 million (8%). f. Bimini & Berry Island Bimini and the Berry Island’s GDP decreased from 1.5% in 2015 to 0.5% of the total economy of The Bahamas. The 71% contraction in 2020, associated with the impact of the COVID- 19 Pandemic, was concentrated in the following combined Industrial group: Accommodation, Food Services, and Arts, Other Services, Household Employment & Extraterritorial Org. g. Cat Island, San Salvador and Rum Cay Cat Island, San Salvador and Rum Cay’s GDP remained relatively stable in the years prior to 2020. With 2017 being the year where it’s GDP was highest at $111 million. As is the case for the majority of Bahamian islands, the 2020 COVID 19 Pandemic impacted the GDP of Cat Island, San Salvador and Rum Cay resulting in a reduction of 65%. The combined Industrial group that experienced the greatest decrease was the Accommodation, Food Services, and Arts, Other Services, Household Employment & Extraterritorial Org. h. Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island and Inagua Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island and Inagua’s combined GDP showed a reduction of 60% in 2016 as a result of Hurricane Joaquin which affected the islands in the 4th Quarter of 2015. In 2017 the GDP increased by $9 million but did not return to normal levels due
to the impact of Hurricane Irma which severely damaged homes in Inagua and Acklins. i. Other Family Islands: The remaining Family Island’s GDP for the period 2015 -2020 maintained a consistent 0.3% share of total output for the Bahamian economy. These remaining islands increased by $1 million annually through 2017, with the gain advancing to $2 million in 2018. In 2019, the GDP declined by $2 million to $34 million, which was maintained in 2020, despite the COVID-19 Pandemic. Methodology The methodology for the production of the Family Island GDP estimates involved identifying an appropriate island portion indicator for each industry which can be used to produce a percentage share. This percentage share is then applied to the Gross Value Added of that industry, to allow for distribution across NP, GB and the Other Family Islands. The production of the GDP by island data became possible with the introduction of more robust administrative data in 2015, hence the commencement of the series in 2015. The methodology will continue to evolve and improve as more viable data sources become available. Data Sources used in the production of these numbers included: - Department of Agriculture Crop Report - Department of Fisheries Landing Report - Aggregated Value Added Tax data - The Business Establishment Survey 2015 to 2019 - External Trade Statistics - Labor Force Statistics Revisions to 2013-2019 Estimates
The National Accounts, as in every country, is constantly being improved as international and best practices are implemented, based on recommendations from experts in the field of National Accounts. These revisions improve the accuracy and timeliness of GDP and are listed in greater detail in the National Accounts 2019 Report. In keeping with the Department’s Revision policy and to maintain the integrity of the series, the entire series, with the exception of the base year 2012, have been revised. This allows for an extended time series, which is necessary for proper comparability and analysis of the economy over time. It also allows for incorporation of corrections, new data sources and recommended methodological changes which would include the following: - The further extension of GDP coverage for Family Island industries which was a major component of the changes to the previously published series. - Balance of Payments data, as provided by the Central Bank of The Bahamas - Tourism Visitor Arrivals data - External Trade Statistics - Consumer Price Indices - Aggregated Value Added Tax data - The Business Establishment Survey 2015 to 2019. Updates to the Preliminary 2020 GDP Estimates It is important to note that the 2020 GDP figures are preliminary and have been produced using data available up to May 2021. These will be revised in the next publication of the National Accounts and will incorporate changes in source data. To read the full release, visit (https// www.bahamas.gov.bs/statistics)
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National Arts Festival Hosted Online with 400 Entries With some 400 entries, and 800 participants over 10 islands, the 2021 Digital E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival adjudications began during the third week in May, and entries from around The Bahamas were featured on the Festival’s Facebook Page. Some of the Eleutheran entrants featured during adjudications this year included: Tyranique Sands from Central Eleuthera High School performing music vocals, Tarpum Bay Primary School’s Rake n’ Scrape band, Spanish Wells’ Island Dance Academy, Emma Moss from Harbour Island All Age performing a drama piece, and Tarpum Bay Primary’s Choral Speaking group. Senior Cultural Affairs Officer with responsibility for the Festival and Organizing Secretary Sonovia Pierre said that the teachers had been “very excited” about the Festival, and the opportunity it affords their students and community to express their artistic talents, despite the current situation. “On behalf of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture -- and by extension the Division of Cultural Affairs -- we extend congratulations to those persons that have chosen to became entrants in this year’s Festival; and we wish them the best,” she said. “We want to also express gratitude to them for giving us a glimpse into their world through our culture.” Although some teachers had opted not to
participate this year, due to online challenges on some islands, Ms. Pierre said that the students are encouraged by getting the chance to showcase their abilities on the nationwide stage afforded them. “The Adjudicators are more than happy to adjudicate and, as always, to meet these students where they are,” she noted. The Adjudicators this year were: Art - Jodi Minnis, Drama - Jovanna Hepburn, Dance Lawrence Carrol, Music Instrumental - Douglas Turnquest, Vocal - Adrian Archer, and Piano/ Strings - Dr. Dion Cunningham. Ms. Pierre pointed out that the adjudications serve to uplift the students and community members who enter, and helps bring up the level of cultural performance to its highest possible. “That is our first and most forefront thing, as well as to preserve and discover new creative ways to preserve our culture,” she said. “There are just such new and innovative ideas, and new ways these talented children and community members have found to express themselves, and we are happy for that,” she added. The adjudicators’ notes can also be found online, on the Festival’s Facebook page. On May 17, 2021, the Festival adjudications began with Bimini and Berry Islands and Inagua entries in Arts and Crafts, Dance,
Drama, and Music Vocals and Instrumentals. On May 18, Long Islanders showcased Arts and Crafts, and Drama; while, on May 19, Andros and Abaco entrants featured Arts and Crafts, Piano and Strings, Music Vocal and Instrumental, Dance and Drama. Digital adjudications continued on May 20th, in Eleuthera, Spanish Wells and Harbour Island portraying the island grouping’s talents in Arts and Crafts, Dance, Drama, Music Vocals, and Music Instrumental. Exuma followed on May 21st with Arts and Crafts, Dance, Drama, Music Vocals Music Instrumental, Piano and Strings. New Providence then featured their entries in Arts and Crafts, Dance, Drama, Music Vocals, Music Instrumental, Piano and Strings from May 25th to 28th. Adjudications wrapped up in Grand Bahama during the week of May 31st to June 3rd, with entrants featuring Arts and Crafts, Dance, Drama, Music Vocals, Music Instrumental, Piano and Strings. “With the arts, this is almost like a ray of hope -- a ray of sunshine -- in this time of COVID-19; and this is what the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival has been for many of those who entered this year,” Ms. Pierre said. Written By Eric Rose
National Arts Festival Performers - Tyranique Sands of CEHS (left), Tarpum Bay Choral Speakers (above left), Spanish Wells’ Island Dance Company (above right), and Tarpum Bay Rake n’ Scrape band (below).
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NOAA predicts another active Atlantic hurricane season NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is predicting another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters predict a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. However, experts do not anticipate the historic level of storm activity seen in 2020. For 2021, a likely range of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 5 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher) is expected. NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence. The Atlantic hurricane season extends from June 1 through November 30. “Now is the time for communities along the coastline as well as inland to get prepared for the dangers that hurricanes can bring,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The experts at NOAA are poised to deliver life-saving early warnings and forecasts to communities, which will also help minimize the economic impacts of storms.” Last month, NOAA updated the statistics used to determine when hurricane seasons are above-, near-, or below-average relative to the latest climate record. Based on this update an average hurricane season produces 14 named storms, of which 7 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes. El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions are currently in the neutral phase, with the possibility of the return of La Nina later in the hurricane season. “ENSO-neutral and La Nina support the conditions associated with the ongoing high-activity era,” said Matthew Rosencrans, lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “Predicted warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, weaker tropical Atlantic trade winds, and an enhanced west African monsoon will likely be factors in this year’s overall activity.” Scientists at NOAA also continue to study how climate change is impacting the strength and frequency of tropical cyclones. “Although NOAA scientists don’t expect this season to be as busy as last year, it only takes one storm to devastate a community,” said Ben Friedman, acting NOAA administrator. “The forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are well-prepared with significant upgrades to our computer models, emerging observation techniques, and the expertise to deliver the life-saving forecasts that we all depend on during this, and every, hurricane season.” In an effort to continuously enhance hurricane forecasting, NOAA made several updates to products and services that will improve hurricane forecasting during the 2021 season. - In March, NOAA upgraded the flagship Global Forecast System (GFS) to improve hurricane genesis forecasting and coupled GFS with
A summary graphic showing an alphabetical list of the 2021 Atlantic tropical cyclone names as selected by the World Meteorological Organization. The official start of the Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 and runs through November 30. (NOAA)
A summary infographic showing hurricane season probability and numbers of named storms predicted from NOAA’s 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook. (NOAA)
a wave model extending ocean wave forecasts from 10 days out to 16 days. Additionally, Global Positioning Satellite Radio Occultation (GPSRO) data are now included in the GFS model, providing an additional source of observations to strengthen overall model performance. - Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are now using an upgraded probabilistic storm surge model — known as P-Surge — which includes improved tropical cyclone wind
structure and storm size information that offers better predictability and accuracy. This upgrade extends the lead time of PSurge forecast guidance from 48 to 60 hours in situations where there is high confidence. - NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory will deploy its largest array of air and water uncrewed systems to gather data designed
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PAHO Director calls for intensified health response in Haiti to reverse rapidly deteriorating COVID conditions (PAHO is assisting with vaccine delivery, scaled up testing, and increased PPE for health workers. Elsewhere in the Caribbean and Latin America, pandemic accelerates.) Washington, D.C., June 2, 2021 (PAHO) Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Carissa F. Etienne warned that the COVID-19 response in Haiti must be scaled up dramatically to cope with sharply escalating cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in recent weeks. “We call on partners and organizations working in Haiti to urgently reinforce the response to COVID-19,” Dr. Etienne said at her weekly media briefing. “The country will need additional health capacity, as well as support to embrace preventive measures required to curb transmission. Both will be decisive in the coming weeks. There is no time to waste.” PAHO is working with Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health and Population to scale up care for infected people and increase supplies of protective equipment for health workers. PAHO is collaborating to reduce transmission through increased testing, which allows for identification and quarantine of infected people. PAHO will also facilitate the upcoming delivery of the first doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine to Haiti. The vaccines were procured through COVAX, the global alliance to ensure equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. “A very high priority is to offer vaccination to all frontline health workers over 18 years of age,” Dr. Etienne said. She explained that the increased transmission is likely fueled by two variants of concern, (B 1.1.7 and P1) and because public health measures are “being largely ignored by the general population. The situation we’re seeing in Haiti is a cautionary tale
in just how quickly things can change with this virus.” Turning to conditions in the rest of the Caribbean and Latin America, Dr. Etienne reported that rapidly increasing cases and deaths have nearly doubled in the first five months of the year. “Wishful thinking will not resolve this crisis,” she warned. “We need action.” She said regional leadership must be united around stopping the virus. “This pandemic has taught us time and again that leadership determines the effectiveness of a country’s response. Sadly, across our region we’ve seen misinformation about COVID-19 sow doubt on proven health measures, often in the context of political disputes.” Access to vaccines urgently needs to increase, Dr. Etienne said. COVAX has already delivered 17.6 million doses to the region, but the quantity is not nearly enough. Some low-income countries are struggling to cover even their health workers and most vulnerable populations, she said. “Effective vaccines are a beacon of hope in this crisis, and we must do all in our power to secure more doses for all nations in the Americas,” she said. “Regional solidarity, including the donation of vaccine doses, will be key to get us through the current shortage of supply,” she continued. And everyone must adhere to public health measures such as wearing masks, social distancing, and washing hands. Increased mobility between and within countries and relaxation of the measures have created the “perfect environment” for the spread of the virus and its variants, Dr. Etienne said. “PAHO is doing and will continue to do its part to support the response to the pandemic in the Americas, grounded in science and solidarity,” she said. “But we can’t do this alone. We need leaders to prioritize the decisions required to stop this virus in its
to help improve hurricane intensity forecasts and forecast models. New drones will be launched from NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft that will fly into the lower part of hurricanes, and in the ocean, sail drones, hurricane gliders, global drifters, and air-deployable technology — called ALAMO floats — will track various parts of the life cycle of tropical storms. Last year’s record-breaking season serves as a reminder to all residents in coastal regions or areas prone to inland flooding from rainfall to be prepared for the 2021 hurricane season. “With hurricane season starting on June 1,
track.” She also addressed the pandemic’s toll in the past week. Cases and deaths have begun rising in Central and South America and the Caribbean after plateauing or decreasing for weeks. Central America is reporting the highest number of deaths. Infections are increasing in Panama, Belize, and El Salvador, where new cases have doubled in the last seven days. In South America, Colombia is reporting the highest rate of infections in South America. Brazil is also seeing a rise in new infections and hospitalizations. Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile continue to report a rise in cases. Many Caribbean islands, including Sint Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago and the Dominican Republic, are reporting a surge in infections. Over the last week, countries in the Americas reported 1.1 million new COVID-19 cases and over 25,000 deaths.
now is the time to get ready and advance disaster resilience in our communities,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Visit Ready. gov and Listo.gov to learn and take the steps to prepare yourself and others in your household. Download the FEMA app to sign-up for a variety of alerts and to access preparedness information. Purchase flood insurance to protect your greatest asset, your home. And, please encourage your neighbors, friends and coworkers to also get ready for the upcoming season.” NOAA also issued seasonal hurricane outlooks for the Eastern and Central Pacific basins,
and will provide an update to the Atlantic outlook in early August, just prior to the peak of the season. Visit FEMA’s Ready.gov to be prepared for the start of hurricane season and the National Hurricane Center’s website at hurricanes.gov throughout the season to stay current on watches and warnings.
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Prime Minister breaks ground on new International Airport for Exuma Contract signed for $65 million, largest investment in Family Island airport GEORGE TOWN, EXUMA (May 7th) – Ground was broken, and a $65 million contract was signed today for the development of the new Exuma International Airport, representing the single largest investment in any Family Island airport in The Bahamas. Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis said this critical project will deliver increased employment opportunities and cultivate entrepreneurs at the airport and nearby locations catering to the airport. “Early in my Administration, we made a commitment to Exuma to build a state-of-the-art airport here in George Town, a modern facility that will be the envy of the region,” said the Prime Minister on Friday 7 May at the ground-breaking and contract signing ceremony. “We recognize that the airports have a direct positive correlation to the growth of the economy.” Key components of the upgrade program are the construction of a new air terminal building and upgrade of the runway and aprons. This includes a new Fixed Based Operation (FBO) with strategic partner, Odyssey Aviation, who will be constructing the new FBO facility adjacent to the new air terminal building. The existing airport terminal will continue to operate until the new facility is available for operation. Thereafter, the existing facility will be converted to other uses. The new 60,000 square ft. air terminal building will have 100% emergency power backup. It is designed to require a minimum of maintenance. Efficiency strategies are proposed to make the facilities sustainable. The new refurbished runway will be 7,000 linear feet and new aprons and taxiway will be constructed. The development will also include a new fire house and new air traffic control tower. “Our plans include to direct aircraft traffic directly to Exuma from North and South America and to use this modern facility as a hub for the southern Bahamas,” said the Prime Minister. A new parking lot for public vehicles and car rental companies and airport and tenant staff, is intended to be revenue generating to help sustain the airport. In a separate area, there will be space for approximately 24 taxis and limousines to park and stage. It is expected that a cargo hub facility will be added in the second phase of the development. Woslee Construction is the contractor for the project, and Royal Fidelity is the principal financing partner
for the funds needed to build the modern airport facility. Alexiou and Associates is responsible for the design of the airport. Prime Minister Minnis said that Woslee Construction has committed to first hire local talent from Exuma, and where local talent is not available, recruit from other islands within The Bahamas. The project is expected to create between 75 and 100 jobs. Mobilization is scheduled to begin within two weeks and construction is expected to begin shortly thereafter. The Exuma airport development project is expected to be completed within two years. On April 29th , the Government signed an
Bahamian Environmental Stewards Receive Scholarships Through Opportunity of a Lifetime After an unprecedented year of distanced virtual learning, newly selected Bahamas Environmental Steward Scholars are ready for hands-on research and in-person experiential learning through the BESS programme. Applicants throughout New Providence and Grand Bahama competed for coveted seats in this gap
agreement to acquire the Grand Bahamas International Airport. That purchase resulted in the Government owning all 30 airports in The Bahamas. “Our strategic intent is to identify the best partner to plan, develop, finance and manage the Grand Bahama Airport,” said the Prime Minister. “We have a similar vision for the Exuma International Airport, the planned North Eleuthera International Airport, the new Deadman’s Cay International Airport, the Leonard Thompson International Airport, the airport under construction at Great Harbour Cay, and the previously completed San Salvador International Airport.”
year programme offered in partnership by the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) and The Island School. Scholars for the 2021-2022 BESS Programme are Heather Brockbank from Bishop Michael Eldon School, Isabelle Petty from Sunland Academy, Theodore Moss from C.R. Walker and Promise Russell from St. George’s High School. Fully funded by The Island School, each scholar will participate in a life-changing experiential Semester on their Eleuthera campus, in addition to a four-month paid internship funded by The Island School. This year, scholars will participate in internships at either BREEF, IDEA Relief or the One Eleuthera Foundation. Recognizing the growing need to problem solve in a rapidly changing world, BREEF and The Island School mentor these independent students through solutionsbased learning and scientific research internships. Upon completion of the programme, each scholar leaves well equipped to lead The Bahamas into a more sustainable future! Heather Brockbank has shown exceptional leadership in international plastic pollution boot camps and volunteer work with several environmental organizations. “I want to develop a platform to ensure the cultivation of sustainable products for The Bahamas. I also intend to assist The Bahamas in the conversion to a plastic-free land and in this promise, a sustainable lifestyle.” Isabelle Petty is a Waterkeeper Cadet and an avid diver interested in coral P45 restoration. “My desire to be a front run-
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ner in environmental rehabilitation has directed me to apply for a BESS scholarship. The experience I’ve had as a junior ambassador for the environment cannot compare to the hands on education and college prep advantages gained here.” Theodore Moss is a Royal Bahamas Police Force Cadet and is in the Maritime Cadet Corps. He has had a longstanding interest in solar energy. “In school I created a miniature solar powered vehicle using a plastic bottle, solar panel and my imagination. I am also excited to explore some of the mysteries of the ocean in BESS.” Promise Russell learned to dive in the Marine Science programme at St. George’s High School and expresses her love for the ocean through visual art. Speaking about the calm she feels underwater, she states “All of my worries stay on the surface. I love it there but there are many issues compromising that beautiful world. I want to protect and preserve this utopia, my underwater home, so others can be inspired and feel that freedom, too.” In addition to these four young scholars, Brianna Brown from St George’s and Arianna Goulbourne from St. Anne’s School were chosen as BESS Summer Scholars. They will receive a full scholarship from The Island School to participate in the organisation’s 4-week Summer Term beginning July 2021. Since 2008, 51 young Bahamians have benefitted from this exceptional educational experience, with most scholars going on to pursue related tertiary studies or being currently employed in the environmental field. BREEF thanks The Island School for providing the BESS scholarships and also thanks their partners, donors and sponsors whose support makes these unique opportunities possible. ples of our determined and unwavering fight to inject new life into Grand Bahama.”
Heather Brockbank
Isabelle Petty
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS 2021 OFFICIAL HURRICANE SHELTERS (UPDATED AS AT 2 June, 2021) PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS LIST IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE; IF NECESSARY.-
Theodore Moss
Promise Russell
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MP Mackey Comments
sort as well. Last month - the month of April, was the best month for their marinas in the history of their operations. “So, it gives you an idea of the level of business being generated in this area. And we are so grateful. That is why it is important to do the things that we have been doing - in straddling the fence with both health concerns and economic concerns - because, if we are unable to do this, it would put us in a worse state than where we now find ourselves as a country. So, I am grateful that North Eleuthera is doing quite well.
“The Exuma airport project broke ground last Friday, May 7th, and they will be mobilized and within a matter of weeks start construction. It’s a two-year project. I’ve spoken with the Minister on this, as I think Eleuthera should have been first - but I think we spent too much time trying to negotiate with commonage. Had we taken the position that we’ve now taken, we would have been well on our way. The legal framework through which we are acquiring the property should be completed shortly, after which we will move to find a contractor and
Handy Tip! DIY Painting & Purse Making Tips Each month, learn a bit about do-it-yourself painted designs and purse making with valuable tips and expert advice: TIP 10. All paintbrushes should be thoroughly cleaned after use and should not be left to sit in water. Leaving your brushes soaking can lead to rot and the distortion of bristles. Wash if necessary, rinse, and dry each brush. When removing excess water, use a clean hand towel or cloth and lightly squeeze from the handle to the tip of the brush to reform your bristles.
Member of Parliament for North Eleuthera, Hon. Rickey Mackey
to commence construction. It’s needed. I would say this should happen by the end of this year, or early in 2022.” He continued, “We have people who are willing to invest in the airport, and wanting to spend - and I think that’s the way to go now - public/private partnerships. It keeps the government on its toes. We know that here in the Bahamas, when it comes to government run industries, we are not the best at it. We are not the best at maintaining government facilities. You can go to any part of this country and see a run-down, dilapidated government facility. If you partner with the private sector - the maintenance and upkeep, and even the business model will show you that it’s done so much better. NAD is an example of that, in how the government can partner with the private sector to run the LPIA airport, and they are doing quite well. “As you ride around you would also see that construction is booming, tour-
ists are all over the place, persons are all over the beach, and we are fortunate. It leads me into the discussions that I have had with my colleagues repeatedly about the importance of building up Family Island communities, and allowing them to grow and establish their own business interests. It would also decentralize a lot of the activity in Nassau. What Covid has shown us, is that while Nassau finds itself gripped by its ravages, we on some of the Family Islands have businesses that are booming, because people want to come to areas like this - where it is secluded, with the space to move around - not confined with all the things that you get in Nassau, and we are very grateful for the liberties we are now feeling because of where we are now during this pandemic.”
Early Election… Having been ratified to once again represent the FNM as the incumbent candidate in the
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World’s largest iceberg breaks off
Antarctica Says European Space Agency (AFP) - A huge iceberg, the world’s largest, has broken off from an ice shelf in Antarctica and is floating through the Weddell Sea, the European Space Agency said. Called A-76 and roughly the shape of Manhattan but more than 70 times bigger, it was picked up on satellite images and is “currently the largest berg in the world”, the ESA said Wednesday, May 19th. The iceberg is around 170 kilometres (105 miles) long and 25 kilometres wide, with an area of 4,320 square kilometres, slightly larger than the Spanish island of Majorca. The berg, which broke off the western side of the Ronne Ice Shelf, was originally spotted by the British Antarctic Survey and confirmed using images from the Copernicus satellite. It takes the place as the world’s largest from the A-23A iceberg -- approximately 3,880 sq km in size -which is also in the Weddell Sea. In November last year, what was then the world’s largest iceberg appeared to be on a collision course with a remote South Atlantic island home to thousands of penguins and seals, threatening to impede their ability to gather food. The iceberg, known as A68a, had also broken off from the Larsen Ice Shelf, which has warmed faster than any other part of Earth’s southernmost continent. A68a, which was 160 kilometres long and
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48 kilometres across, broke apart before it could cause any damage to the abundant wildlife in the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia. Earth’s average surface temperature has gone up by one degree Celsius since the 19th century, enough to increase the intensity of droughts, heat waves and tropical cyclones. But the air over Antarctica has warmed more than twice that much. Major chunks of the Peninsula’s Larsen Ice Shelf -- which had been stable for thousands of years -- disintegrated within days in 1995, and again in 2002. This was followed by the breakup of the nearby Wilkins Ice Shelf in 2008 and 2009. A process known as hydrofracturing was likely the main culprit in both cases, earlier research has shown. Hydrofracturing occurs when water -- which is heavier than ice -- pours through cracks in the surface of ice shelves caused by surface warming, violently forcing the fractures to zip open, causing an iceberg to break off. Icebergs are traditionally named after the Antarctic quadrant in which they were originally detected, then a sequential number. If they break apart more letters are added to differentiate the fragments.
Caption: An iceberg the size of the island of Majorca has broken off from the Ronne ice pack in Antarctica, making it the largest iceberg in existence, according to images from a European Copernicus satellite, the European Space Agency. - AFP Pic
MP Mackey Comments
North Eleuthera constituency in the next general election, in response to being asked about his thoughts on the possibility of an early election, MP Mackey, siding with the camp of not calling it early, commented, “In my view, I think if the election is going to be called early, it will be called early, quickly… We are at a place where we are going to need to borrow a sizeable amount of money during the next budget to catch up on stuff that we wanted to have done and couldn’t do… Some take the view that if you go and borrow a bunch of money now, there would be all sorts of criticism - and would we be able to subside that talk within the next twelve months, before we get into an election? Then there is the trend of thought that says, look - call an early election, you win, then borrow big and it’s behind you. I would suggest that if we have to borrow, to do so. There will be people that don’t understand no matter what. Just like in life, there will be people who don’t like you, just because they don’t like you - they don’t have a reason. There are some people who are not going to support you, because they are not going to support you. I’m of the view that there is a 40% base of the population that supports the FNM, and another 40% base that supports the PLP. The 20% are where elections are won and lost, so you will just have to go out there and make your case - outlining the things we are dealing with, providing facts and figures. At the end of day the decision is that of the people.”
North Eleuthera projects…
Illustrating, in his opinion, the positive actions taken by the government during the current term of office, Mr. Mackey, shared, “We have spent a lot of money keeping people safe, feeding people, and providing essential services, in spite of the pandemic… In terms of what we have gone through - we have had to tighten our belt and try to get our country and our balance sheet in a good position. When we first came in, there were close to $400 million in unpaid bills - I’m not talking about overruns, but bills that had to be paid. Then we were hit with Irma in the southern Bahamas. Then we were hit with Dorian - which took 20% of our revenue, and hit our number two and number three financial streams - Abaco and
Grand Bahama. So, when you look at that, followed by the coming of Covid, which took out 50% of revenue, we’ve been doing a lot of stuff, in terms of feeding and supporting people - and still doing a lot of projects. “Just through the Ministry of Works in this constituency, the government has spent $497,512.20 on work done at the Glass Window Bridge (contract awarded to Triple ‘A’ Marine) ; $2,440,840 contract awarded to Engineering Technical Services on the technical study for replacement of the Glass Window bridge; $687,691.20 contract awarded to Nu-View Construction and $714,285.71 contract awarded to Quick Fix Construction for road works on Spanish Wells; $3,283,102.40 contract awarded to Waugh Construction for the Russell lsland replacement bridge; $2,658,667.20 contract awarded to Rowdy Boys for road works on Harbour lsland; as well as the cost of completing the Water Plant in North Eleuthera, which was approx. $3,000,000… That is more than $13 million spent, just on road works and infrastructure, and some people still say that nothing was done.”
Water Plants…
Remarking on the recent visit to the South Eleuthera Water Plant by Minister Adrian Gibson, who visited the three islands threatened with cuts to their water supply over payment disputes between the government and the private operator, Mackey said, “They are looking at putting in their own equipment. The ones for Inagua are already on the ground, and the same thing in San Salvador. I guess at some point they will look at the South Eleuthera Plant… I can tell you that they have been having issues with Aqua Design for quite some time now. We are of the view that they have been price gouging, so the government’s intent is to put in their own plants. That of course is a two-edged sword. While Aqua is price gouging, they would have maintained the facility. You and I know that government-run facilities are historically poorly maintained, and that’s the other issue we will have…